ABSTRACT
Japanese showed considerable ambivalence toward television when it made its debut in 1953. Only the richest Japanese could afford to purchase a set, and the picture quality left much to be desired. In order to establish TV as a medium, some broadcasters and elites hoped to attract these wealthy audiences with programs featuring high culture. Yet, TV achieved a popular breakthrough when crowds numbering in the thousands flocked to public TV sets to watch that most cultured of all programs-pro wrestling. The charismatic Rikidōzan proved to be the star that established television’s popularity. We can learn a lot by examining how Japanese first responded to TV when it made its debut.
