| Among the activities associated with this country, | | | | lifting, heaving, slapping and other similar moves are |
| also called the land of the rising sun, there is perhaps | | | | allowed, while punching, hair pulling, kicking the vital |
| none which is as iconic of Japan as is Sumo wrestling. | | | | areas, and eye gouging are not. The Sumo outfit It |
| Steeped in thirteen centuries of history and tradition, | | | | consists of a 30 foot loincloth tightly bound and called |
| Sumo originally served a religious and cultural purpose | | | | a mawashi, which is used during training as well as |
| as a means of entertaining the deities to ensure a | | | | official competitions. A length of twisted string, called |
| good harvest for the season. Over time, as Japan | | | | a sagari, is tucked around the front of the waist |
| became embroiled in wars, Sumo was transformed | | | | portion of the belt. The sagari represents the sacred |
| into a form of military training, exclusively practiced | | | | ropes that hang in front of Shinto shrines. The |
| by samurais and beyond the sight of the common | | | | referee Each Sumo match is closely watched by a |
| man. Feudal lords, with their share of warriors, also | | | | referee called a gyoji. Dressed in an elaborate |
| conducted their own tournaments in their castles, | | | | costume, the gyoji watches over the two |
| which was aimed at increasing the one on one mortal | | | | protagonists and constantly inform them that the |
| combat skills of their warriors. Towards the sixteenth | | | | bout is still ongoing or whether one of them have |
| century, with Japan in a period of lasting peace, | | | | unknowingly stepped on the circle and therefore |
| Sumo eventually found its way back towards the | | | | have already lost the match. Gyojis also use a gunbai |
| royal court, as it now transformed itself into an | | | | to identify the winner of the match. A gunbai is a |
| imperial sport. Over time, strict rules were formulated | | | | wooden fan. The Sumo rankings & status As |
| as Sumo evolved into something close to what we | | | | Sumo strictly observes a hierarchal order, each level |
| know today simply as Sumo wrestling. The rituals of | | | | of Sumo is expected to behave according to their |
| Sumo Opponents start by performing the chiri-chozu, | | | | rank and status. The lowest rank is the junior rikishi. |
| where they squat across each other, extend their | | | | They are expected to do the cleaning chores, as well |
| hands, then clap once. After this, each opponent | | | | as help out in preparing the lunch. Junior rikishis are |
| performs the shiko, which is best described as an | | | | not allowed to have breakfast, but are allowed to |
| exaggerated act of foot stomping ritual. Then each | | | | sleep after a very heavy lunch, which serves the |
| opponent takes a fistful of unrefined salt and throws | | | | function of accelerating weight gain. Sekitoris are the |
| it over the ring, as a purification ritual. Salt was | | | | next higher rank. Sekitoris spend most of their time in |
| believed to have purifying power over evil spirits, | | | | training, and have the junior rikishis serve as their |
| while purity and purification rituals play a very | | | | occasional manservants. Sekitoris are already |
| important role in Shinto rituals, which was once the | | | | considered privileged. Sumo wrestling has been gaining |
| dominant religion in Japan. Understanding the rules | | | | widespread popularity in recent years. The |
| The main objective of a Sumo encounter is to get an | | | | enjoyment of a Sumo match will certainly be |
| opponent to step or land outside the competition | | | | increased if we have a deeper understanding of all |
| circle, or get any part of his body to touch the | | | | the rituals, symbolisms and pageantry that Sumo |
| ground. The first person to get his opponent to do | | | | stands for. |
| so wins. Most moves such as pushing and shoving, | | | | |