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