XVII.] 



JAPANESE WRESTLERS. 



653 



carry on these games as their occupation, and exhibit themselves 

 for money. They are in general very fat, as appears from the 

 accompanying drawing, which represents the beginning of the 

 contest, when both tlie combatants are still watching to get 

 a good hold. 



Next day, the 1st October, we continued our journey to 

 Kusatsu. The road was uj^hill for a distance of 550 metres, 



JAPANESE WRESTLERS. 



downhill for nearly as far, then up again, and ran often without 

 any protecting fence past deep abysses, or over high bridges of 

 the most dangerous construction. It was, therefore, impossible 

 for any wheeled vehicle to traverse it, so that we had to use in 

 some cases hcujos, in others riding-horses. Unfortunately the 

 Japanese high saddle does not suit the European, and if the 

 traveller prefers a riding-horse to a Ixigo, he must, if he does not 



