Verwandte Artikel zu Japan, historical and descriptive
Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ...foreigners. The wrestlers first sprinkle some grains of rice and drops of water about the arena to propitiate the god of gladiators; they then slightly moisten their shoulders, arms, and legs, rub some sand violently between their hands, execute a few grotesque movements, probably to test the suppleness of their limbs, and finish by taking up 206 The Conflict. their station opposite each other in the centre of the arena, in the attitude of men gathering all their powers for the ensuing tussle. "Upon a given signal, the two men with a harsh cry rushed at each other, each striving to floor his adversary. The shock must have been terrible, for the sound of it echoed throughout the circus, and the combatants were instantly covered with blood. The blow had, however, been so skilfully calculated that the effect was in a degree neutralised, and the two men rebounded from each other as if they had been two inert masses of equal weight, which had been hurled the one against the other with corresponding velocity. They immediately returned to the charge, each trying to surpass the other in the strength of his blows, and both labouring their utmost to remain sole master of the arena. "After several fruitless attempts they renounced this mode of conflict, and engaged in a regular hand-to-hand struggle, amidst immense applause from the audience, who watched every movement with feverish excitement. And indeed it was a stirring sight to see these two naked, colossal-like men grappled closely together in one mighty embrace, shoulder to shoulder, breast to breast, their arms intertwined, their legs planted well apart, and each sustaining without flinching the enormous weight resting upon him. Their limbs stiffened and their muscles swelled...
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