R311

1931 Rikishi 4 Set

This is the roughly third or fourth earliest known sumo menko set and is one of the smallest menko sets ever produced.  This set is also one of the first "human" or Rikishi series of menko sets.  This set is quite plain in terms of variety.  The kesho-mawashi are all generic as well as the backs.  It appears there was some attempt to change the facial features from menko to menko, but beyond that all the menko are quite similar in appearance.  This set was manufactured before the Shunjuuen Accident, where many rikishi dissolved from the Sumo Association demanding reforms.  If you can get you hands on any of these menko from this set, they are a rare treat.  This set has Tamanishiki featured before his Yokozuna years and is extremely rare!

    Company: Unknown                                                 Availability: Extremely Rare

    Card Size: 1.00" x 1.50"                                           Card Material:  Thick, paper stock 

     # of Cards in set: 5+                                                 Packaging: Sheets

    Winner Stamp Description: N/A 

    Front Design:  This set features a drawing of the rikishi in a generic kesho-mawashi.  The rikishi's shikona is along the middle of their kesho mawashi.  Kanji reads right to left. 

   Back Design:  A drawing of the rikishi's back appears on the back of the menko.  A gunbai with a 4 digit fighting number appears in the middle as well as a various small pictures in the middle of a flower outline.  Backs are printed in blue or brown ink.