was a building situated in the Kuramae neighborhood of Taitō, Tokyo which was built by the

Japan Sumo Association The is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling (called ''Ōzumō'', 大相撲) in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). '' Rikishi'' (active ...

and opened in 1954. Its construction was decided to replace the old bomb-damaged Ryogoku Kokugikan. It closed its doors in 1984. The building was torn down and sporting events were transferred to the second Ryogoku Kokugikan. The place is now the site of the

Tokyo Metropolitan Government The is the government of the Tokyo Metropolis. One of the 56 prefectures of Japan, the government consists of a popularly elected governor and assembly. The headquarters building is located in the ward of Shinjuku. The metropolitan governme ...

Bureau of Sewage.

History

The Sumo Association has owned the site of the former Tokyo Technical High School at the base of Kuramae Bridge since before

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

. The construction plan for the new Kokugikan was underway since around 1940 but was suspended due to the war. After the war, the old Kokugikan was

occupied ' ( Norwegian: ') is a Norwegian political thriller TV series that premiered on TV2 on 5 October 2015. Based on an original idea by Jo Nesbø, the series is co-created with Karianne Lund and Erik Skjoldbjærg. Season 2 premiered on 10 Octobe ...

by the allied forces enforcing the ''budo ban,'' forcing the

to hold tournaments and Sumo venues in shrines and baseball stadiums. Due to resource shortages after the war, the beginnings of the arena were built using the scraps from the demolition of the naval hangar of Atsugi. The target capacity was 11,000 spectators. From 1950 to 1953, main tournaments were held at the Kuramae Kokugikan, which was still under construction. Kuramae Kokugikan was officially completed in September 1954. To protect and preserve the rich historical heritage of Sumo, a Sumo Museum was created in the premises of the building. In September 1952, the four traditional pillars (''shihon-bashira'') were replaced by the current ''tsuriyane'' (suspended ceiling), as the matches began to be broadcast. From 1953 to 1971, the Kuramae Kokugikan underwent a series of renovations, including electric boards to announce the bout results, air conditioning and heating. Originally built using recycled materials, there had been some debate within the Japan Sumo Association as to whether the arena should be fully renovated or partially renovated, or whether a new Kokugikan should be built. In 1982, it was decided a new arena would be built and the Kuramae Kokugikan closed in 1984.

Sumo

At the opening ceremony (September 18, 1954), both yokozuna Chiyonoyama and

Kagamisato was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Aomori Prefecture. He was the sport's 42nd ''yokozuna''. Career He was born in a small fishing village in Sannohe District. He came from a poor family as his father had died when he was very you ...

performed a very rare ceremony. In January 1971, yokozuna Tamanoumi and

Kitanofuji is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Asahikawa, Hokkaidō. He made his professional debut in 1957, reaching the top '' makuuchi'' division in 1964. He was the sport's 52nd '' yokozuna'', a rank he attained in 1970. He won ten to ...

, performed the same ceremony to commemorate the completion of the renovations. In May 1955, Emperor Shōwa came to his first at the arena, 10 years after the end of the war, to support the sport. Until then, sumo bouts for the emperor were held at the imperial palace.

Wrestling

The Kuramae Kokugikan is also famous for holding sold-out

professional wrestling Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...

venues, including Tokyo Pro,

National Wrestling Alliance The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is an American professional wrestling promotion and former professional wrestling governing body operated by its parent company Lightning One, Inc. Founded in 1948, the NWA began as a governing body for a ...

(NWA) and

Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance The was the first professional wrestling promotion to be based in Japan. It operated from 1953 to 1973. History JWA under Rikidōzan (1953–1963) Rikidōzan, a former ''rikishi'' ( sumo wrestling practitioner) who had debuted as a Western-s ...

(JWA) cards and the first women's professional wrestling tournament. The arena also saw the birth of

Antonio Inoki Muhammad Hussain Inoki (born ; February 20, 1943 – October 1, 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, politician, and promoter of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. He was best known by the ring name , a homage ...

as a star.

Other uses

The arena also held different tournaments for a large variety of sports, including boxing, judo and kendo. It was used as the venue for the first All Japan Kendo Championships (1953) and the first World Judo Championships (1956). The Kuramae Kokugikan is seen in the 1967 film '' You Only Live Twice''.

Gallery

Notes

:1.Ban on martial arts gatherings enforced from 1945 to 1950.

References

{{reflist Sports venues completed in 1950 1950 establishments in Japan 1984 disestablishments in Japan Buildings and structures in Taitō Defunct indoor arenas in Japan Defunct sports venues in Japan Sports venues in Tokyo Sumo venues in Japan Judo venues