Emperor system and sports in Modern and Contemporary Japan

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24700676
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University
• Principal Investigator: KWON HAKJUN 立命館大学, 産業社会学部, 准教授 (20381650)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 天皇制 / スポーツ / 近現代日本社会 / ナショナリズム / 国民意識 / 植民地 / 身体規律

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This paper explains how the sport of Sumo became Japan’s national sport during wartime. This paper also elaborates on the political aspects of Sumo and its involvement in the war. Through analyzing the institutional change in the Sumo realm and looking at the Sumo wrestler’s public service projects, this paper argues that as Sumo became a national sport, the sense of Japanese nationalism also emerged with it.
At the time, it was rare for a non-military organization to put an effort into visiting the imperial army. The author believes that this motivation came from a sense of responsibility and the belief in Sumo as a national sport that will not to lose to other sports and arts.

Free Research Field

歴史社会学