Pacific Stars & Stripes, Tuesday 7th April 1959 (Page 20)

Asashio Formally Joins Sumo's Highest Ranks

    ENTERING THE TOP RANKS of Sumo is Taro Asashio as he performs the traditional rites called "Yokozuna Suikyo-shiki" ceremony Monday at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. The Kyushu-born sumo wrestler has taken the Unryu style of the grand champion (a way of entering the ring for the beginning of a match). Asashio is flanked on the left by his sword bearer, Wakamaeda, and on the right by Atagoyama. Both wrestlers are stablemates of Asashio. The gentleman with the beard is referee Inosuke Shikimori. Asashio is the 46th wrestler in the history of sumo to be made a grand champion. (S&S Photo)

Naha Slates Sumo Matches

NAHA, Okinawa (S&S) - A star-studded sumo exhibition is scheduled at the Naminoue Sports Center Apr. 9-13.
    Japan's present champion, yokozuna Tochinishiki, and the .recently promoted yokozuna Asashio and a host of some 100 sumo grapplers are scheduled to arrive from Japan for the exhibition. Sponsoring the three-day exhibition are 18 Okinawa major organizations which include the Okinawa Mayors, Okinawa Women's, Okinawa Youth and the Okinawa Teachers Assns;
    Proceeds from the sumo exhibition will be used to erect a giant Buddhist statue for peace dedicated to all the World War II dead in the Pacific Area.
    Shinzan Yamada, one of the outstanding Okinawan painters and sculptors, is presently building the statue.