Sumo memorabilia
Mark in Tokyo would like to purchase old sumo "tegata" (wrestlers' handprints) and "banzuke" ranking sheets. "Any ideas?" he asks.
Two suggestions Mark. Firstly, there is a shop specializing in sumo memorabilia in Asakusa. Okuramae Shobu at 3-12-10 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo (03-3865 5894), has such wonders as a banzuke dated Meiji 8 (that is 1875); but the price is pretty wondrous too: 405,000 yen. There are far cheaper items, however, so go take a look. The Web site is in Japanese: www.mmjp.or.jp/okuramase-shobu/
Also try the sixth floor at Kanda Kosho Centre Building, 2-3 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (phone/fax 03-3264 2566). It's open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a "must" for anyone interested in Japan-related paper memorabilia -- postcards, magazines etc. There is a lot of sumo stuff.