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146
THE WONDERFUL CITY OF TOKIO.
In the centre was a raised circular platform of earth, sur-
rounded by two enormous rings of plaited straw and surmounted
by a canopy supported by four heavy spars. The
fringe of the structure bore the mon of one of the ex-lords.
To one post was fastened a sword, to another a gohei, to the
third a bag of salt, and to the fourth a bow. In each corner
squatted an ex-wrestler, the quartette acting as umpires.
Oto turned to his friends and said, "Our audiences take
sides, the Eastern and the Western, and each favors the men
of his party. When an Eastern man gets a good grip, his par-
tisans yell vociferously and the Westerns howl derisively,
which makes the exhibition more exciting." O
"What is in that bag?" asked Fitz.
"
Salt," answered Oto.
'
c The gohei, bow and sword are
supposed to be rewards, and the bag of salt is for luck. The
straw rings are to mark the bounds, if a man is thrown on
or outside one of them he is defeated. Now we are going to
see some good fun."
As he spoke, a herald, dressed in old ceremonial style, en-
tered the ring, opened his fan with a quick motion and
announced the names of the wrestlers who were to engage in
the next bout. He did not say " So and so are going to wres-
tle," but sang in a peculiarly quavering manner that very
much amused the Jewetts.
rf
Those are the names of two celebrated wrestlers," remarked
Oto.
"
Here comes the gioji (master of the ceremo-
nies), see what a dandy he is."
As he spoke a tall, dignified man, dressed in the old court
style and wearing the kamishimo (wing-like garment) ascended
into the ring and waving a peculiar-shaped fan, invited
the opponents to advance. The wrestlers threw off their
upper garments, and, stepping up to the mound, were waited