1. Hiroshi and his ojiichan (grandfather) has a strong passion for sumo wrestling. Ever since his Ojiichan told his brother and himself the legend of the history of Japanese civilization. Its a sumo match fought on the shores of Isumo and is written in the Kojiki (the records of ancient matters). In this match the two god's Takemikazuchi and Takeminakatato were said to shake the Earth to its very core. Takemikazuchi won and it is said that the imperial family can trace their ancestors back to him and the very first sumo match.
-This is a link that basically summarizes the various legends in the Kojiki. http://www.washburn.edu/reference/bridge24/Kojiki.html
-The history of the two gods present in the sumo legend. http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=150
2. After Kenji gets beaten up, Hiroshi gives him an Omamori bukuro that he believes belongs to their deiced mother. An omamori is a small bag usually embroidered. Inside each bag is a prayer or blessing written on paper or wood, sanctified by a priest from temple. They are meant to ward off evils and keep you safe. However if you open the bag and read the blessing or prayer it would undo the blessing. The omamori thar Hiroshi gives Kenji has "great" and "to protect" embroidered on the bag in gold threading.
-You can actuallly buy your own omamori at this site. http://www.tsubakishrine.org/omamori/omamori.html
This is the history aspect.
-http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ancient-japanese-culture.html
3. Kenji is more interested in the art of mask making rather than sumo like his older brother. The great mask maker Yoshiwara let Kenji be his apprentice and shows him the ways of Noh mask making. An example of a mask is the Ko-omote mask meaning "youth" "face". He even gives Kenji his copy of the book of masks. The same copy his sensi gave him.
-This is a interesting background on noh theater masks.
http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00717/pages/masks.html
-The history of Japanese mask making.
http://www.yoshinoantiques.com/newsletters/Masks.pdf
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