The Japan Advertiser, Tuesday 24th January 1939 (Page 8)

DEWAMINATO WINS 12TH SUMO VICTORY

Low-Ranking Wrestler Meets Banjaku Today, Seeking Perfect Tourney Score

    Dewaminato, the only wrestler still unbeaten in the current sumo tournament at the Kokugikan wrestling hall in Ryogoku, Honjo Ward, goes after his 13th victory and a perfect record for the tourney today when he meets Banjaku, a more experienced husky of much higher ranking.
    Dewami took his 12th straight standing up yesterday when he overcame Tomoegata. Tomoegata is not rated any great shakes, and of course, Dewaminato is matched mainly against men of his own class. But he has met and mastered not a few of those who meet the champions, including those who have defeated men who beat the champions and even the grand champions.
    Banjaku, whom Dewaminato meets today, for instance, has had the honor of upsetting Ryogoku who had until recently, the rare privilege of winning over the great Grand Champion Futabayama. Questioned in his dressing room yesterday about today's match, Banjaku scoffed at a reporter's suggestion that he might have to be on his mettle to spoil Dewaminato's record, according to Domei. But it was noted that his nonchalance was not without a trace of what in lesser men might be termed, anxiety.
    While Dewaminato's name was adorned with the coveted white circle, signifying no defeats, the names of Kaikozan and Toshuzan were sullied with the dreaded black circle, symbolizing no victories so for in the current tourney.
    Followers of the late Grand Champion Tamanishiki, both are 40 years old and veteran sumo men. They refused to be razzed by reporters yesterday, declaring that they had not been losing just for the fun of losing. Both earnestly hope in win their final matches today, says Domei.
    While watching yesterday's sumo program, Mr. Keishichi Ishiguro, who is known as a writer of Japanese humor, had a serious idea for once, reports Domei. Mr. Ishiguro suggested that it would be an inspiring example for the nation, if the top sumo men contributed the shining gold spangles which bedeck their war-dance regalia to the national war chest. Mr. Ishiguro thinks the sumo men's rather ample girth would be no less impressive with tinsel ornaments.

Results of yesterday's more interesting matches are given by Domei as follows:
Fujigatake threw Kashimanada
Kaneminato downed Akinoumi
Ayawaka pushed out Asahigawa
Shachinosato crushed Kasagiyama
Haguroyama drove out Banjaku
Ryuozan beat Tamanoumi
Kagamiiwa beat Ayanobori
Futabayama carried out Maedayama
Minanogawa turned over Nayoroiwa