Prior to the 15-day Spring Sumo Grand Championship Tournament which opens on Sunday, a traditional "Dohyo Matsuri" (ring festival) was held Saturday morning at the Kuramae Kokugikan Sumo Arena, Tokyo.
    In colorful ceremonies, participated in by a large number of officials concerned, rites for "safety" and "fair play" at the ring during the coming meet took place.
    The opening bouts will start at 6 a.m. and from the second day will take place as from 8 a.m.
    (Photo shows a scene of the "Dohyo Matsuri").

    A large photograph of Tochinishiki - the champion of the Autumn Grand Sumo Championships - was presented by the Mainichi Newspapers to be placed on the wall at the Kuramae Kokugikan Sumo Arena.
    Tochinishiki, winning championship for three times, now has three pictures of him hanging on the wall.