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Ryōgoku Kokugikan

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Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Japanese: 両国国技館, lit. "Ryōgoku National Sports Hall"), also known as Ryōgoku Sumo Hall or Kokugikan Arena, is the name bestowed to two different indoor sporting arenas located in Tokyo. The first Ryōgoku Kokugikan opened its doors in 1909 and was located on the lands of the Ekōin temple in Ryōgoku, Tokyo. Although no sumo bouts were held after 1945, following the capitulation of Japan and the requisition of the building by the occupying forces, the building itself remained active until 1983, being notably used by the Nihon University.[1909 1] The second Ryōgoku Kokugikan is currently located in the Yokoami neighborhood of Sumida next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It opened in 1985, following the closure of the Kuramae Kokugikan, and is still in use today.

The first Ryōgoku Kokugikan

Ryōgoku Kokugikan
両国国技館
Daitetsusan (the big iron umbrella)
Ryōgoku Kokugikan, 1909
Full nameRyōgoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena
AddressSumida
Tokyo
Japan
Location2 Chome-10-14 Ryogoku
Coordinates35°41′37″N 139°47′33″E / 35.69368°N 139.79247°E / 35.69368; 139.79247
Main venueCapacity: 20,000
OwnerJapan Sumo Association then Nihon University
Current useSumo tournaments venues then sporting venues and Nihon University Auditorium
Construction
Broke groundMarch, 1906
Built1906-1909
OpenedJune 2, 1909
Renovated1920, 1923, 1945
ClosedSeptember, 1946
Demolished1983
Years active77 years
Construction cost280,000 yen
ArchitectTatsuno Kingo, Kasai Manji [ja]
Acreage4,959 m² (land area) 2,995 m² (stadium area)
Website
https://www.ryogoku-city.co.jp/

History

The growing popularity of Sumo during the Meiji period led to the building of the original Kokugikan in Ryōgoku. Until then, Sumo bouts were performed in temples precincts and depended on the weather. In March 1906, the 22nd Imperial Diet decided to build an indoor sumo facility within the precincts of the Ekōin temple in Ryōgoku. The task was given to two of the most predominant architects in Japan at the time, Tatsuno Kingo and Kasai Manji [ja] (mostly known for the Bank of Japan, the Hamadera Park Station or the Tokyo Station). Inspired by western architecture, the building is Japan's first dome-shaped steel framed building. Construction began in June 1906 and the arena was quickly nicknamed "big iron umbrella" (大鉄傘, Daitetsusan) because of the large roof resembling a huge umbrella.[1909 2] Although it was a Western-style building, the roof imitated the kondo (centerpiece) of Horyuji Temple. The opening ceremony was held on June 2, 1909.

Originally set to be called Shobukan (lit. Home of Martial Arts) by the founding committee chairman Itagaki Taisuke, the building took the name of Kokugikan (lit. National Sports Hall) thanks to another member of the committee, writer Suiin Emi.[1909 3]

The arena was thought to accommodate 13,000 people, including about 1,000 square seats. The inner diameter of the building was 62m, and the central height was 25m.[1909 3] In 1931, the Japan Sumo Association decided to replace the old Irimoya-zukuri style roof of the ring with a Shinmei-zukuri style roof.

The building of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan consecrated the evolution of Sumo from a Shinto ritual to a national sport.

Fire and earthquake, war damage and requisition

The first Kokugikan suffered extensive damage during its years of service.
In November 1917, during the series of big fires in Tokyo. The arena burned down due to the accidental fire and its large roof collapsed.[1909 4] The Ryōgoku Kokugikan was destroyed for the first time and needed to be built from scrap. The total amount of damage amounted to about 1.2 million yen and the tournaments had to be held at the Yasukuni Shrine until the arena was rebuilt in January 1920, notably using zinc to fortify the roof.[1909 5]

Three years later, in September 1923, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan was destroyed in the Great Kantō earthquake[1909 6] and tournaments had to be held at the Butokuden lot in Nagoya.[1909 4]

In February 1944, the Kokugikan was requisitioned by the military and turned into a balloon bomb factory.[1909 7] The Summer tournament was therefore held at the Korakuen Stadium (sekitori) and Meiji Jingu Stadium (Makushita and below).[1909 4] In March 1945, an air raid over Tokyo damaged the Ryōgoku Kokugikan and the surrounding sumo stables.[1909 7] After the war, the Kokugikan was occupied by the allies forces and the budo ban[1] was enforced, preventing tournaments until November. As the arena was requisitioned by the allies, the Kokugikan undergone a new phase of restoration and was renamed Ryogoku Memorial Hall. The renovations were completed by September 1946 leaving the November 1945 tournament to a burnt-out Kokugikan. The November tournament of 1946 was the last tournament to occur in the arena.

Post sumo venues

Since then, the Kokugikan has been used for roller skating, professional boxing and professional wrestling. Japan's first public wrestling match was held at the Memorial Hall on September 30, 1951.[1909 8] It was also used as the venue for the All Japan Judo Championships in May 1951.[1909 9]

In 1958, the former Kokugikan (Ryōgoku, Sumida Ward) was purchased from the Japan Sumo Association by the Nihon University, to create a large auditorium that could hold unified ceremonies such as entrance ceremonies and graduation ceremonies throughout the university. The Memorial Hall was therefore renamed Nihon University Auditorium (日大講堂, Nihon Kōdō).[1909 10] During the Zenkyōtō the auditorium was used as a conference room for the protest rally.[1909 11]

Due to aging equipment, notably failing to meet fire protection regulations, the building was dismantled in 1983. After the demolition, the complex building facility "Ryogoku City Core" and other offices, residences, and restaurants were built. In the courtyard, the location of the dohyō of the former Kokugikan is indicated by a circle on the ground.

Ryōgoku Kokugikan 1909-1983
  • A front sketch of the first Kokugikan, the picture is surrounded by photographs of old stable masters.
    Kokugikan commemorative postcard in 1909 surrounded by stable masters.
  • View of the former Ryōgoku Kokugikan (by the time of completion)
    A view of the Kokugikan ring (1909), the suspended roof was of the Irimoya-zukuri style.
  • The arena is seen with heavy damages and is circled by ruins after an earthquake
    The Kokugikan after the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923).
  • Inside of the arena with crowded seats during a ceremony performed by wrestlers
    Inside of the arena (1936) during a yokozuna dohyo-iri. The roof is of Shinmei-zukuri style since 1931.
  • A neighboorhood in ruin after an air raid in 1944. Several emblematic buildings are shown in ruin
    The Ryogoku neighborhood after the 1944 air raid. The Kokugikan is seen between the Ryōgoku Station and the Ryōgoku Bridge.
  • The arena was renamed Memorial Hall by the Allies during the occupation of Japan (c. 1946)
    The old Ryōgoku Kokugikan as Memorial Hall during the Occupation (c. 1946)

The second Ryōgoku Kokugikan

Ryōgoku Kokugikan
両国国技館
Home of Sumo
Ryōgoku Kokugikan, view from the West with the Edo-Tokyo Museum in the background
Full nameRyōgoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena
AddressSumida
Tokyo
Japan
Location1 Chome-3-28 Yokoami
Coordinates35°41′49″N 139°47′36″E / 35.69694°N 139.79338°E / 35.69694; 139.79338
Main venueCapacity: 11,098
Public transitJR East/Toei Subway:
JB Chūō-Sōbu Line and E Oedo Line at Ryogoku
OwnerJapan Sumo Association
Current useSumo venues, boxing, pro wrestling, and music concerts[1985 1]
Construction
Broke groundApril 27, 1983
Built1983–1985
OpenedJanuary 9, 1985[1985 2]
ArchitectTakashi Sugiyama Architects
BuilderKajima Corporation
Acreage35,700m²
Website
https://ryogoku-kokugikan.jp/ (in Japanese)

The second Ryōgoku Kokugikan opened as the aging Kuramae Kokugikan became less practical due to modernization problems. Therefore, the Japan Sumo Association sought to purchase a new location to build a new arena.

History

Considering a move to the location of a defunct freight rail yard next to Ryōgoku Station, the Japan Sumo Association began to hold consultations with the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in June 1977. Faced with large deficits at the time, JNR was receptive to the idea of selling the property, aided by its belief that if the new Kokugikan was built next to the station, the number of passengers served would increase. As the land in Kuramae was selected as a candidate site for the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo, the association acquired the means to purchase the land located in Ryōgoku. The move to Ryōgoku was decided in 1980, and in March 1982, a land purchase contract was concluded between JNR and the Sumo Association.[1985 3] The cost of purchasing the land in Ryōgoku was 9.4 billion yen, while the Sumo Association was able to sell its Kuramae property to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for 14.3 billion yen. A total of 15 billion yen was procured for the construction of the new arena, comprising the 4.9 billion yen profit from the real estate transactions, 9.6 billion yen the Sumo Association had set aside in reserves, and a 500 million yen subsidy from the Ministry of Education.[1985 3] As the project to build a new arena progressed, the overall picture of a Kokugikan which made full use of modern technology was solidified. The construction faced heavy challenges in terms of cost and construction period as the Sumo Association requested that the construction be shortened by half a year, in place of the two years initially planned, and completed by January 1985.

On September 20, 1982, plans for the new Kokugikan were announced during a press conference. The new arena would be made of three floors above ground and two underground. The total floor area is 35,700m² and the seating capacity is 11,098. The ring and the square seats on the first floor are movable and can be stored for multi-purpose use, so that they can be used effectively outside the 45 days of the annual sumo competition.

A ground breaking ceremony was held on April 27, 1983. Both yokozuna Kitanoumi and yokozuna Chiyonofuji performed a yokozuna dohyō-iri as part of the Shinto ceremony. On January 9, 1985, the inauguration ceremony and unveiling party were held with 2,300 people in attendance. Following a solemn ritual, both yokozuna performed a yokozuna dohyō-iri, ōzeki Wakashimazu and Asashio performed a Shinto sumo ritual (called shinji-zumō (神事相撲)) and yokozuna Chiyonofuji and Kitanoumi performed a very rare sandangamae ceremony.[1985 3]

Technical specifications

The planned construction site for the new Kokugikan is a place prone to urban floods, therefore the introduction of a rainwater utilization system for the Kokugikan was asked by the Sumida municipality. The roof area is 8,360m². Rainwater is stored in an underground 1,000m³ rainwater tank, and 70% of miscellaneous water used at the Kokugikan is covered by this rainwater. In the event of an earthquake, this water can be used as emergency domestic water. When a heavy snowfall falls, this rainwater can be ejected from the headdress on the roof to melt the snow. The ring is illuminated by 124 lights for TV broadcasts, and the angles of each are adjusted so as not to interfere with the wrestlers' mental unity and to prevent halation caused by the wrestlers' sweat. In addition, since Japanese people have dark hair, the lighting in the audience seats on the background of the ring is adjusted so that the colors appearing on the TV screen are not dark.[1985 3] The Ryōgoku Kokugikan houses the offices of the Japan Sumo Association[1985 4] and, at the rear of building, the "Sumo School" where new recruits must complete a six-month course on various topics such as calligraphy, sports science, sumo history and civics in addition to sumo's basic movements and techniques.[1985 5] Near the main entrance, two Inari shrines (called Toyokuni Inari and Shusse Inari) are dedicated to wrestlers safety and success. Originally the twin-shrines were built in the backyard of the former Ryōgoku Kokugikan and were relocated in 1963 in the Kuramae Kokugikan before finally moving to their current location. The arena also includes a number of dedicated venues such as the Sumo Museum, restaurants or a banquet hall for chankonabe tasting.

The tea house street located in the Kokugikan in January

Emblematic venues also includes the Annaijo Entrance (lit. Information desk, also called Chaya-dori: Tea House Street), a flower-theme decorated corridor for souvenirs buying.[1985 6] Now under the control of the Japan Sumo Association, the cha-ya were originally independent named teahouses that sold tickets and refreshments to their customers. Following a system of inheritance, today's 20 businesses[2] can be dated back to the nineteenth century, the oldest teahouse dating back to 1818. Now the teahouses also offer gifts packages. Their services usually go to regular customers who have agreements in place. Attendants (called dekata) dressed in attire that resembles a yobidashi, guide patrons to their seats and supply them with refreshments in exchange of a tip.[1985 7]

The Ryōgoku Kokugikan also has its own yakitori skewers factory in the basement of the building.[1985 8]

Sumo

For its first tournament, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan was visited by the Emperor Hirohito (posthumously referred as Emperor Shōwa in Japan). It was the first time Tenran-sumo[3] was performed on the first day of the first tournament of the year. The January 1985 tournament also marked a milestone in Sumo as yokozuna Chiyonofuji achieved a zenshō yusho while yokozuna Kitanoumi (who had been yokozuna for 10 years) announced his retirement on the third day of the tournament after three consecutives defeats.

Since its completion, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan is the place where every Tokyo tournaments are held : in January, May and September. The arena also holds other sumo related events such as retirement ceremonies, known as danpatsu-shiki, where sekitori-ranked wrestlers ritually cut their topknot in a long and solemn ceremony. Only sekitori with at least 30 tournaments in the top division can qualify for a ceremony at the Kokugikan, other wrestlers usually perform the ceremony at hotels or in their stable.[1985 9] Kanreki dohyō-iri ceremonies, where former yokozuna celebrate their sixtieth birthday during a particular yokozuna dohyō-iri ceremony, are also usually held at the Kokugikan.[1985 10]

The Kokugikan also holds sumo events for boys such as the Goodwill Sumo Tournament, and high-school championships, such as the National Junior High School Sumo Tournament.[1985 11] The arena also regularly hold the All Japan Sumo Championships (Japan Sumo Federation main event) and Hakuhō Cup (a children's sumo event). Also, prior to each Tokyo tournaments, willing wrestlers will meet in joint training in the training room of the Sumo School for four to six days. These trainings are usually in presence of the press and oyakata. Finally, the public broadcast company NHK hold in the Kokugikan its own Sumo event, called the NHK Welfare Sumo Tournament (NHK福祉大相撲, Enu Eichi Kei Fukushi Ōzumō). Taking place each February, this charity event has been held since 1966. It takes the form of a festival where traditional jungyo activities are performed (sumo wrestlers songs, yokozuna's tsuna exhibition, makuuchi bouts). The profits are donated to social care institutions across the country.[1985 12]

Other sports

Like the Kuramae Kokugikan, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan hosted a number of professional wrestling events as soon as its first year of service. In September 1985, the first wrestling card, promoted by All Japan Pro Wrestling, happened with the first Japanese appearance of the Road Warriors.[1985 13] In December of the same year, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) held its first card in the Ryogoku.[1985 13] It became a regular venue for NJPW's events such as the G1 Climax. In 1998, Antonio Inoki's Universal Fighting Arts Organization held its first card at the arena.[1985 14] As All Japan began to use the Nippon Budokan as its main venue, the Ryōgoku Kokugikan became established as a venue for rival promotion NJPW. In 2009, DDT Pro-Wrestling held its first event in the arena.[1985 15] World Wonder Ring Stardom has held multiple events in Ryōgoku beginning in 2013. WWE also held numerous events in the Ryōgoku between 2010 and 2015, the latest being WWE's The Beast in the East.

The Kokugikan also host Boxing competitions including the hosting of the boxing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[1985 16]

Other events

In 1992, The Kokugikan hosted the very first official Street Fighter II tournament. On April 4, 2014, the K-pop boy group Got7 held their first Japanese showcase in the venue. In 2017 it hosted Ferrari's 70th anniversary celebrations.[1985 1] Paul McCartney performed a concert at the venue as part of his world tour "Freshen Up" on November 5, 2018.

In May 2021 the stadium was used as a vaccination center for the COVID-19 vaccine, with some retired sumo wrestlers among those getting vaccinated.[1985 17]

Ryōgoku Kokugikan 1985-current
  • Street view showing the entrance of the arena, the Kokugikan is seen afar, a tower guards the entrance
    Main entrance of the building, note the tower from which the yosedaiko is performed
  • Nobori bearing the name of wrestlers are shown above the wall of the main entrance of the arena
    Wrestlers colourful banners are shown above the wall of the main entrance during the days of tournaments.
  • Inside of the arena during a tournament, the place is crowded. The Japanese flag is seen on top of the Shinto roof and portraits of previous winners are hang
    Inside of the arena during a tournament. The Japanese flag is always raised on top of the Shinto roof and portraits of the previous tournament winners are hanged on top of the arena. White banners (called "man'in onrei", 満員御礼) on top of the roof indicates that the event is full.
  • Electric-scoreboard indicating the bouts results
    Electric-scoreboard
  • Corridor of the Sumo Museum, statues and other artifacts are shown on display
    Entrance of the Sumo Museum located in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan
  • Sumo's main trophy, the Emperor's Cup, and the winner's flag on display
    Sumo's main trophy, the Emperor's Cup, and the winner's flag on display in the entrance hall
  • Three cups and rewards are on display
    Sanshō rewards for the most meritorious wrestlers (from left to right: Technique prize, Fighting Spirit prize, Outstanding Performance prize) on display in the entrance hall
  • Two small Inari shrine with two foxes guarding each fronts
    The two small Inari shrines located on the Ryōgoku Kokugikan

In other media

The Ryōgoku Kokugikan is featured in anime series such as boxing manga and anime Hajime no Ippo, where some of the characters participate in boxing matches in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan. Also Sumo mangas, such as Aah! Harimanada and Hinomaru Zumō, are held at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan. In the manga series Prison School, some of the characters attend a student sumo tournament in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.

The arena is served by the Ryōgoku Station with platforms to the south and east of the arena. The JR East Chūō-Sōbu Line platforms to the south are served by local trains while rapid trains bypass the platforms by going through a tunnel north of the platforms. The two main platforms are built as an island platform, with trains heading west to Tokyo and east to Chiba, while there is a third terminal platform that is only used on special event days. The Toei Subway Ōedo Line platforms lie in a north–south axis directly underneath Kiyosumi Street to the east of the arena. There are regular trains to Iidabashi and Tochomae from platform 1 and Daimon and Roppongi from platform 2.

See also

Notes

1.^ Ban on martial arts gatherings enforced from 1945 to 1950.[1909 12]
2.^ Called Takasago, Kinokuni, Yamato, Yoshikazu, Minohisa, Nakahashi, Wakashima, Joshu, Nishikawa, Mikawaya, Kamisho, Shimman, Musashiya, Hakuho, Hasegawa, Kabira, Fujishima, Isefuku, Tatekawa and Hayashi.[1985 18]
3.^ Tenran-sumo (天覧相撲) are sumo bouts in presence of the emperor.

References

1909 Kokugikan

  1. ^ "The Ekoin Temple and the former Ryōgoku Kokugikan". Ginjo Blog. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Kokugikan". Kotobank Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b "The first Kokugikan is completed". Nagublog. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Ryōgoku Kokugikan history". Kajima Co. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  5. ^ "A series of big fires in Tokyo". hashimotorion blog. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Ryōgoku Kokugikan". Great Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum Database. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b "The only tournament in the history of sumo wrestling that is not open to the public". Mainichi Shimbun. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Pro wrestling history ('50s)". Puroresu.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  9. ^ "list of past results All Japan Judo Championships". Comprehensive information site for judoka (柔道家のための総合情報サイト). Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Establishment of Nihon University Auditorium". Nihon University. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  11. ^ "University-wide protest rally at Nihon University". Nikkei. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Documentation Regarding the Budo Ban in Japan, 1945-1950". Journal of combative sport. 10 December 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2022.

1985 Kokugikan

  1. ^ a b Gunning, John (12 February 2020). "Legendary Ryōgoku Kokugikan has adapted to modern needs". The Japan Times. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  2. ^ Shapiro, David (1995). Sumo: A Pocket Guide. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-4629-0484-6. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "The 26th Kokugikan Sumo Hall of Fame where tradition and technique fuse". Kajima Co. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  4. ^ Gunning, John (10 July 2019). "Sumo 101: Kokugikan". Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  5. ^ Gunning, John (19 September 2018). "Sumo 101: Sumo School". Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Kokugikan Arena Guide" (PDF). Japan Sumo Association. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  7. ^ Gunning, John (20 January 2020). "Sumo 101: Teahouses". Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Olympic boxing spectators can try yakitori loved by sumo fans". The Asahi Shimbun. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  9. ^ 「引退相撲」と「断髪式」はどう違う？　力士は全員、国技館で引退相撲ができる？　Ｑ＆Ａで回答. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 28 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Sumo's unique kanreki ceremonies provide windows into past". The Japan Times. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  11. ^ "About Guidance Department (in Japanese)". Japan Sumo Association. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  12. ^ "福祉大相撲". NHK Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Pro wrestling history ('80s)". Puroresu.com. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  14. ^ "Pro wrestling history ('90s)". Puroresu.com. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  15. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "DDT Ryogoku Peter Pan". Wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Venue Plan". Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  17. ^ "Tokyo's Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo arena to be vaccination site for wrestlers and locals". 26 March 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Sumo Teahouses (Kokugikan)". Kokugikan Service Company. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
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