Carrying the Drum around the city to proclaim the opening of Wrestling Match

    The regular winter season of wrestling will open this morning for 10 days. The two opposing camps have not been matched more equally in recent years. Enthusiasm over the coming matches is running high, many wiseacres are busy prophesying as to the coming events in the arena.
    A great green arch has been set up in front of the National Amphitheater of Ryogoku. Banners and bunting have been hoisted high in the air. In respect of the time honoured custom, a company of men were sent out yesterday morning with drums to announce throughout the city the opening of the wrestling season. The scheduled matches were shown in posters, which were held out one by one to the interest of passersby on the street.
    Early this morning about 4 o'clock the drum on the high tower prepared at the amphitheater will be pounded for the beginning of the day's contests. And the howler's first call of the contestants to the ring will actually open the great season of 10 days, in which the two camps will fight hard for the pennant. The offer of large silver cups made by the Hochi for any wrestler who will win from any of the three "Yokozuna" and four "Ozeki," and other prizes offered by the Metropolitan journals have added a keen edge to popular interest in the season.
    "Ozeki" Komagatake has been sick and will probably remain out of the matches in the present series. The sick list also include Kashiwado of the East, who has  forged his way to the "Komusubi" - the fourth place - in the new honor list.
    (The more interesting matches in the following selection from today's program are marked by the +)

    OSAKA, Jan 8.- The change in the seats of the wrestling champions of Osaka was announced today at 2 a.m.