[sumo] Request for assistance: Hitachiyama's book

[Dennis J. Frost]

Dear fellow list members,

I've just recently joined the list and have enjoyed a number of the postings
already.  I haven't seen any sumo since leaving Japan a few years ago, but
keep up with the tournaments thanks to the wonder of internet news.   I look
forward to reading future posts and discussions here, especially with the
exciting stuff going on in sumo these days.

I write now because I am currently working on a project on the history of
sports celebrity in Japan, and one of the figures I examine is Hitachiyama.
I have a great deal of material already (though any suggestions or sources
are welcome), but have found myself with a bit of a dilemma.

When I was researching in Japan, I somehow forgot to get a copy of
Hitachiyama's book Sumo Taikan.  The original was published in 1914 by the
Hitachiyama-kai and is not widely available.  But there is a reprint that
was published by be-subo-ru magajinsha in 1985.

I've tried finding a copy in the US but have had no luck so far, and none of
the Japanese libraries I contacted are willing to send a copy to my
university library here.  Unfortunately I won't be able to get back to Japan
right away, so I am wondering if any of you on the list might by some chance
have a copy of either edition or otherwise have relatively easy access to
the book.   If so, please feel free to contact me off list at
dennisjfrost[at]gmail.com

Thanks in advance, and glad to be part of this group.

Best,
Dennis