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Most of Ito Chuta's Ashura-cho sketches are his reaction to a specific event either happening worldwide related to WWI or domestic issues related to the war. The attached sketch dated June 14, 1915 depicting the great sumo wrestler Tachiyama with fallen opponents around him, doesn't seem to correlate with any significant WWI events at that time. In June 1915 Tachiyama continued his 43 match winning streak with a victory a tournament. Anyway, a transcription of Zenmaro's commentary accompanying the sketch would be helpful to see if there is a direct connection between the sketch and WWI or if it's simply Ito Chuta's comparison of Tachiyama's string of victories to Japan's WWI victories. With thanks.

My reading and interpretation,

太刀山全勝
異常なる力ひとり游持つこともおもしろきかな
人のせに生きて
哀*

Tachiyama zenshō
Ijō naru chikara hitori asobimotsu koto mo omoshiroki kana
Hito no se ni ikite
Ai

Tachiyama's perfect victory
ca. I wonder, how interesting it is that a person has unusually great power
It is better to live by going with the flow.
Ai

* Aika 哀果　was Zemaro's pseudonym

Alternative kaanas are shown in their modern forms.

With regards,
I.Nagy

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