S371

1937 Kokugikan Set

     This is set is known as a Kokugikan Set.  Kokugikan sets have printed cards of all the high ranking rikishi in their kesho mawashi.  It's thought the intended purpose of the Kokugikan sets was identification of rikishi while they were at the Kokugikan or other tournament places.  Since there was no tv at this time, fans weren't able to see all their favorite rikishi in person and many people only heard the basho on the radio.  Fans could possible listen to the radio as well and use the these cards as visual reference.  All Kokugikan sets that I have seen come in boxes and have several dozen rikishi in each box.  This particular set was printed on nice white paper stock and has great cards of 3 current and 2 future Yokozuna, including the great Futabayama.  This set represents the May 1937 basho.

    Company: Unknown                                                 Availability: Extremely Rare

    Card Size: 1.75" x 2.75"                                           Card Material:  Thin paper stock 

     # of Cards in set: 32                                                 Packaging: Box

    Winner Stamp Description: N/A 

    Front Design:  Color photo of rikishi in their kesho mawashi.  Shikona is printed in blue at the bottom and reads right to left.

   Back Design:  Blank Back