1957 Sumo Menko

"The Golden Decade"

The 1950s are considered the Golden Decade in the 30 or so years of sumo's menko popularity.  The most sets were produced in this decade, over 100 in all.  Also, about a dozen companies were printing and distributing menko to local candy shops in hopes of enticing kids to buy their product.  In 1953 NHK started televising matches and a huge sumo boom was created.  At one time there were 4 channels televising the matches!  This also is reflected in the production of menko as most sets from the 1950s were printed from 1953 and after.  The early to mid 1950s was dominated by 3 relatively weak Yokozuna, Chiyonoyama, Yoshibayama, Kagamisato, and one rather strong Yokozuna: Tochinishiki.  There was also an young and rising start, Wakanohana who later became a powerful Yokozuna and all these stars can easily be found throughout all sets.  Menko also took on a new form in the 1950s.  No longer were menko used for just battle, but many children were collecting them and not destroying them in battle.  The later half of the 1950s saw a rise in production quality as well as a typically more aesthetically pleasing design.  With the increase in the number of basho, many menko companies couldn't keep up with the banzuke and printing coordination and thus hardly any menko printed after 1956/1957 have any rank information on them.  

2. 1957 Basho 12 Set

3. 1957 Dohyo Iri 9-10 Set

4. 1957 Gunbai 9-11 Set

5. 1957 Jyunishi Mijikai 6 Set

6. 1957 Kagome Rikishi 10-11 Set

7. 1957 Kimarite 6 Set

11. 1957 Sagari 7 Thin Set

13. 1957 Sanenchuu Slant 12-13 Set

14. 1957 Sanenchuu Straight 11-12-13 Set

15. 1957 Sensou 6 Set

16. 1957 Stripe 9-10-11 Set

17. 1957 Suna 7 Set

18. 1957 Tawara 5 Set

19. 1957 Tsuki 10 Set

20. 1957 Ue Prize Sheet

21. 1957 Yamakatsu Dai Gunbai 6-7 Set

22. 1957 Yamakatsu Gyoji 5 Set

23. 1957 Yube Nazo Nazo 7 Set