Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.003.009 |
Object Name |
Photograph, Cabinet |
Title |
Kensaburo Noda |
Description |
Black and white photograph mounted on cabinet card from 'Ges. Jinnai' on '1259 LARIMER ST. DENVER, COLO.' embossed at the bottom. The image is of a shirtless man with a mustache, with crossed arms and a traditional kesho-mawashi (a large belt meant to hold a large apron with tassels for ceremonial ring entering; worn over the mawashi, the belt or loin cloth worn by sumo wrestlers). The kesho-mawashi typically has embroidery from the sponser on it. This one has kanji characters on it above two stripes, with rope below and a woven and black tassels at the bottom. The kanji reads 'kozakura'. 'Ko' means small, and 'sakura' means cherry blossom. When the two are combined, the 's' in 'sakura' turns to a 'z' to becom 'zakura'. Prior to 1945, kanji was read left to right, where as now is read right to left. On the back side of the in blue ink is "#2 Noda Pro Wrestler entertained at Okomoto Wedding about 1910". Kensaburo (Kenzaburo) Noda or Noda Kensaburo, taught Shuichi Nagaoka in the art of Kito-ryu ju-jutsu, a traditional school of Japanese martial art. It a close combat art used to defeat ones opponent through striking, throwing, joint locking and choking techniques. The first Kito-ryu school opened during the Edo Period (1600-1868) with it's roots coming from the first martial arts from the Muromachi Period (1333-1573). It was during what is considered the Meiji Period (1868-1911) that Noda learnt martial arts. During this time, Japan's fuedal system collapsed and their Imperial rule was re-established. Samarai weaponry, along with other weaponry, was not allowed Some of the principles of Kito-ryu were used to create the basis of modern judo. Sumo-tori or rikishi or sumosan, are professional sumo wrestlers. Similar to martial arts, they hold their traditional teachings to the highest degree, living by the rules set centuries earlier. Noda does not have a top knot, which is part of the rules of a rikishi. This could mean that he was not fully involved, and balancing teaching Kito-ryu while doing sumo. The rikishi standing is set based on official wins only. There is no known documentation of Noda's standing, as of yet. Noda would have likely come to Brighton through invitation on behalf of the Okoyama family for the wedding. It is traditional to have a form of entertainment, like sumo-wrestling, martial arts presentation, or dancing during a part of the ceremony. |
Date |
1910c |
Collection |
Brighton Historic Preservation |
Search Terms |
Kensaburo Noda Noda Okoyama sumo-tori rikishi osumosan mawashi kesho-mawashi judo kito-ryu ju-jitsu kanji kozakura martial arts Japan Japanese wedding ceremony |
Caption |
Noda_1 |
Accession number |
2020.003 |