The Japan Times and Mail, Thursday 26th January 1939
(Page 3)
NO WONDER HE IS HAPPY
Dewaminato and giant silver trophy awarded him late
Tuesday for having won the championship of the 13-day Sumo tournament.
DEWAMINATO CAPTURES TITLE IN 13-DAY SUMO TOURNAMENT
For the first time in six years a wrestler below
the first four ranks has captured the championship honors in the official
Sumo tournaments at the Kokugikan bowl at ryogoku. Turning the trick Tuesday
afternoon as the 13-day Spring season ended was Dewaminato, 32-year-old
stalwart of the Dewanoumi training house, who outsmarted the burly Banjaku
for this 13th victory without a defeat.
Incidentally Dewaminato will be the seventh "mayegashira"
or wrestler in the top flight below the first four ranks, "yokozuna" or
grand champion, "ohzeki" or champion, "sekiwake" and "komusubi," to have
his life-size portrait hung up the steel frame top of the bowl, symbolic
of the championship, since the building of the bowl.
BOWL JAMMED
Every standing space was taken by rabid fans, who overflowed
the bowl, eager to take in the match between Dewaminato and Banjaku. The
latter was in considerably higher ranking but in the Spring tournament
of 1937, it was vice versa with Dewaminato high up as a "sekiwake." So
it was that with his fine showing from the opening day, Dewaminato was
favored by many to be the winner. An excellent arm throw at the right time
sent Banjaku sprawling on to the sand. The entire assembly cheered Dewaminato
but there was not throwing of seat cushions or sake cups as was witnessed
on the fourth day of the tournament when the mighty Futabayama was thrown
for the first time in three years. Prohibition by the police was respected.
Dewaminato was awarded a trophy almost his equal
in size, the championship pennant and other prizes during the closing ceremonies
after the final bout of the day when Grand Champion Futabayama defeated
Grand Champion Minanogawa in a humdinger of a match. To Terukuni went the
championship for those immediately below the first ranking circle with
11 victories and two defeats.
The season closed with Director Tachinami leading
in three cheers of Banzai for His Majesty the Emperor, and then finally
with the traditional clapping of hands.
Among the interested spectators in the box seats
for dignitaries were Yuan Chen-Tse, Manchoukuo Ambassador, Eugen Ott, German
Ambassador, and Mayor Itta Kobashi.
Futabayama gave the fans the impression that he
has completely recovered from the shock of his first defeat in three years
by taking the measure of Minanogawa. No sooner had they stood up than they
grasped each other by the girdle. Minanogawa, who had lost all chances
for the championship when Dewaminato had beaten Banjaku earlier in the
afternoon, started a drive that forced Futabayama to the edge of the ring.
When it seemed as if he might be showed out, he executed an arm throw and
out went the large body of Minanogawa.
CALLED A DRAW
Tamanoumi and Haguroyama engaged in a torrid bout that
was finally called a draw when both could not continue because of sheer
exhaustion. Neither was strong enough to beat the other.
The results of the principal bouts after the intermission
follow:
Hishuzan finished the tournament as runner-up to
Dewaminato, with only one defeat by vanquishing Tomoegata.
Kaikozan and Toshuzan, both of the Nikashogaseki
training house, managed by the late Grand Champion Tamanishiki went through
the tourney without a victory.
| Mutsunishiki |
defeated |
Ichiwatari |
| Banshinzan |
defeated |
Dewanohana |
| Hishuzan |
defeated |
Tomoegata |
| Takanobori |
defeated |
Fujinosato |
| Katsuragawa |
defeated |
Kaikozan |
| Ayawaka |
defeated |
Aobayama |
| Shachinosato |
defeated |
Wakashima |
| Jinmuyama |
defeated |
Onami |
| Ohshio |
defeated |
Taikyuzan |
| Yamatonishiki |
defeated |
Hatasegawa |
| Itsutsushima |
defeated |
Kojimagawa |
| Ryuozan |
defeated |
Toshuzan |
| Komanosato |
defeated |
Kaneminato |
| Kashimanada |
defeated |
Tsurugamine |
| Fujigatake |
defeated |
Ryogoku |
| Akinoumi |
defeated |
Asahigawa |
| Dewaminato |
defeated |
Banjaku |
| Kasagiyama |
defeated |
Tatekabuto |
| Tamanoumi |
drew with |
Haguroyama |
| Nayoroiwa |
defeated |
Ayanobori |
| Mayedayama |
defeated |
Kagamiiwa |
| Futabayama |
defeated |
Minanogawa |
