100 YEARS AGO
Saturday, June 19, 1911
Today the summer wrestling season opens at the Kokugikan in Ryogoku, Tokyo. For 10 days, the capital will have the delight of seeing the national sport exhibited at its best by the country's greatest champions.
We call sumo the national sport for none other is so peculiar and native to this country. But it is more. It is a venerable sport. Though its origin is in immemorial antiquity, it has come down to us little changed in form and procedure since the 48 "hands" — rules of attack and defense — were adopted nearly 13 centuries ago in the reign of Emperor Shomu. What is more, it is a sport that brings out physical manhood in its highest grandeur, ever fresh and ennobling to the eyes.