The Osaka Mainichi, Sunday 14th January 1923 (Page 2)

From The Editor's Desk

    In spite of the strike of 70 wrestlers, the Kokugikan Game for the Spring had been opened. Prince Tokugawa was an occupant of his usual box, but the Amphitheater was almost empty. True wrestling fans find more pleasure in seeing the matches of the juniors, and the Prince is surely one of them.
 

    When the spring matches of the Tokyo Wrestlers' Association opened its first day on January 12 at the National Amphitheatre, Ryogoku, Tokyo, it was virtually empty. Whereas it used to be packed to capacity with enthusiastic fans from early morning, hardly any part of the building was solid with spectators, and this in spite of reduced admissions. The absence of the popular champions and many leading would-be champions from the matches on account of the disputes pending between these wrestlers and the association has deprived the public of one of its most interesting annual events in Tokyo.

Champion Wrestlers Absent;
Spring Matches First Day Ends in Dismal Failure (page 3)

    The official contests for the second day of the Tokyo organized wrestling were started at 6.30 a.m., January 13, before a very small body of spectators. The attendance was still smaller for the second day, than the first, despite the fact that it fell on a Saturday. Only a few parties occupied the balcony seats on the second floor.
    The wrestlers' association proclaimed the dismissal of 64 wrestlers and 17 referees, who had failed to appear for the opening matches on January 12. Ibukiyama was the only champion that did not join the strike on his own initiative, and Champions Wakahitachi and Akutsugawa are still in good standing, as they happened to be on the sick list, and their presence was not expected.

 Demands Refused
    Hatachiyama, in the role of spokesman for the association, approached the delegates of champions at the Uenokan Hotel, at 3 p.m., January 12, and told them that the association was not in a position to meet the demands presented. This was the last straw. The champions immediately began preparations for organizing another association. They engaged an office in the Japan Electrolysis Works building, in Mikawashima, Tokyo Prefecture. As the existence of two associations in Tokyo simultaneously is not permissible, they will begin their contests in big cities like Yokohama, Nagoya, etc.

Go-Betweens to Act

    The two super-champions and the three ozeki remained neutral, but they finally came to the conclusion that they would take part in the official matches, not because of their support of the association, but because of their consciousness of the fact that their participation would be a benefit to the sport. Admiral Yashiro, General Osako, and Chief of Police Akaike are said to acting in a mediatory capacity, in spite of the decision of the association that the spring matches, at least, would be contested under the existing conditions.

New Association Starts

    An immense number of people gathered in front of the new association office in Mikawashima, and looked curiously at the sign which read the Headquarters of the Wrestlers' Association. Pennants of the wrestling reform society flew in the air, as if they were sanctioning the new move of the long oppressed champions, The building was not occupied for some time, and Odanoyama, a champion, was busy equipping it, as he had been appointed to act as cook.
    An emergency ring was constructed on a vacant lot behind the building, and champions lost no time in taking part in practice matches to keep themselves in condition, as they are likely to be sent away for circuit exhibitions at any time. Most of them left their former headquarters, on January 11, with no anticipation of the present breach, and, accordingly, all their belongings were left there. Some of the champions hastened to gather their property, but were refused admission on the ground that deserters had never been admitted, until the procedure or reinstatement was complete. This action on the part of the directors of the old association incited the wrath of the champions to the highest pitch.
    The champions, who remained in the office, in the meantime, filed applications for new licenses with the Metropolitan police Board, as their old ones had been confiscated by the association and turned over to the authorities on the strength of the ruling that they were deserters. As soon as the new licenses are granted, and the arrangement for contests made, the new association will leave on its initial tour.

Problem Paradoxical

    Although the old association is assuming an attitude of obstinacy, indications for an amicable solution are beginning to appear. The utter absence of enthusiasm among the scattered spectators is manifest, and this state of things cannot last very long.
    Moreover, there are some champions who held two licenses, one as champion, and the other as Toshiyori, or elder wrestler. They lost their first license through the strike, but they still possess the other, and accordingly have a voice in the meeting of the directors. This paradoxical problem is puzzling the old association. The association is believed to be awaiting mediation from some source, so that it may be freed from the difficult task of settling this question.