On the second day of the Grand Sumo Tournament at Kuramae, Tokyo, Monday, Grand Champions Azumafuji and Kagamisato again hit the dust, upsetting all expectations among Sumo enthusiasts as well as newsmen.
    On this day, prior to the event, Azumafuji expressed his willingness to retire, because he was "ashamed of losing to Shinobuyama on the opening day" in spite of his hard training he had for this season."
    However, his retirement has been held up for the time being owing to advice given by the concerned officials.

The results of the main events of the second day was as follows:
Tokitsuyama beat Hajimayama
Kitanonada beat Dewanishiki
Ouchiyama beat Orochigata
Shinobuyama beat Matsunobori
Tochinishiki beat Futatsuryu
Kotogahama beat Mitsuneyama
Chiyonoyama beat Kuninobori
Yoshibayama beat Asashio
Wakanohana beat Azumafuji
Nariyama beat Kagamisato.

    I entered the gateway to the Sumo stadium. The drum overhead was beating and the colorful pennants were flapping in the breeze like a crop of fresh laundry. The sights and sounds were dazzling and the smells of the food being prepared in the little side stalls was overpowering.
    I was a little shocked though, as one little man went run-ning past me with his trousers torn all the way down both sides. Before I could say anything to my Japanese friend, a whole group of men with torn trousers came by. I had been told that the Sumo society was too poor to rebuild the old memorial hall and that that's why they are still in the temporary stadium, but I had no idea they were so poor that their helpers couldn't get their pants fixed!
    When I did mention this, I was told it was the way they always dressed these Tattsuke. Still, they should get them fixed. Open pants might be all right in the Spring tournament, but in the Fall they can catch cold.
    The building impressed me with its solid appearance, especially as I had been told it was a temporary structure. What with steel girders and concrete it looked a lot more permanent to me than most of the permanent buildings in Tokyo. But then I guess it would have to be solid, with all those big Sumos running around. I don't imagine many Japanese buildings could take several Sumos running around in them. Imagine living in a Japanese house with a Sumo living upstairs. If he ever had a bunch of Sumo friends in for dinner, they'd probably end up the party by dropping in on you - right through your ceilings.

(To Be Continued).