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YOI-SHO!! What the audience shouts when the wrestlers their leg up and stomp the ground.

www.sakuraofamerica.com ©Sumo Manga by P.M.B.Q. Studios Table of Contents 1 History of Nihon Sumo Kyokai History of 2 : The Offi cial Sumo Ranking Record Nihon Sumo Kyokai 3 The Ranking Pyramid

4 Sumo Attire

5 Basho: Offi cial Tournament Competition

6 Dohyo: The Sumo Ring

7 Traditional Ceremonies

9 Gyoji and Judges

10 Sumo Begins

11 Tournament Rules

12 Words to Know Sumo is an ancient sport dating patron for sumo wrestling, back some 1500 years. The fi rst and established the fi rst rules sumo matches were a form of ritual and techniques. dedicated to the gods along with prayers for a bountiful harvest. During a long period of warfare, Together with ritual dancing and the military trained soldiers in dramas, sumo was performed in sumo, and jujitsu was formed by religious shrines. the as an off shoot of sumo. When peace was fi nally In the Nara Period in the 8th restored in 1603, a period of Century, sumo wrestling became prosperity grew, and the merchant History of Nihon Sumo Kyokai History an annual festival which included classes organized matches and the winning sumo groups for their entertainment, sumo wrestlers participated in music and has further developed into the and dancing celebrations. The sumo wrestling sport enjoyed in Imperial Court was the sponsor or modern times.

1 Banzuke: The Official The Ranking Sumo Ranking Record Pyramid

Today there are No weight limits exist in sumo The lower ranks, Sandanme (san- about 800 wrestling, so a rikishi (wrestler) dan-me), Jonidan (jo-ni-dan), and (wrestlers) in could face an opponent that Jonokuchi (jo-no-kuchi) do not weighs twice as much as his own wrestle each day of a tournament. professional sumo from weight. It takes strength and the highest ranking speed of the lower body, including to the Grand Champion: balance and technique to win a Yokozuna (yo-ko-zuna) beginner level trainees. wrestling match. The Yokozuna title, or grand champion, was created three There are a total of 10 ranks of Nihon Sumo Kyokai, hundred years ago, and has been professional sumo rikishi (wrestlers). the offi cial sumo held by only 69 rikishi as of 2007. The top fi ve ranks are considered wrestling organization Once a rikishi becomes a yokozuna, he the upper division, and are made can never be demoted, even if he of , issues a up of highly experienced sumo loses in a tournament competition. ranking list of all the wrestlers. It is the goal of a sumo He determines when it is time to retire rikishi which is called wrestler to move up in ranks, from competing in tournaments. which is accomplished with the banzuke. The yokozuna is an honored rank, training, competing and winning and the rikishi that holds this rank in tournaments. The banzuke is hand not only is the most capable wrestler, printed in ancient but is a symbol of high ethical calligraphy with the Top Five Ranks behavior and demonstrates the The top fi ve ranks are referred to highest ranking rikishi true nature of a grand champion as the Maku-uchi group, and sumo wrestler. at the top of the list in contain about 40 experienced sumo bold large characters. wrestlers that have trained and The calligraphy competed to work their way up. characters get progressively The names of these rikishi smaller as the ranking decreases are printed in bold letters at the very top of the banzuke. to the lower levels. Yokozuna Banzuke: The Offi Record cial Sumo Ranking The rikishi (wrestlers) in MAKU-UCHI Ozeki Writing in characters to create the the Maku-uchi group banzuke is an ancient tradition starting with the highest Sekiwake upheld by the professional sumo rank are: Komusubi organization. When rikishi rise to Maegashira 1. Yokozuna the upper ranks, special (grand champion) Juryou announcements and ceremonies

2. Ozeki Makushita Pyramid The Ranking are conducted by the organization. 3. Sekiwake Sandanme 4. Komusubi Jononidan 5. Maegashira Jonokuchi

2 3 Basho: Official Sumo Attire Tournament Competition

The rikishi (wrestler) wears a The yokozuna, (grand champion Nihon Sumo Kyokai, is the Awards hair design and a loin cloth style rikishi), wears both a kesho-, offi cial organization of sumo There are four awards that are wrestling garment that is determined and a 25 to 35 pound hemp rope wrestling, and oversees the presented on the last day of the by his rank. These styles honor the belt. The belt is tied in a large single of Japan. Sumo Basho. The rikishi that has the long standing ancient customs of bow in the back. A zigzag patterned wrestlers honor the origins of best record of wins over losses is sumo wrestling. paper ornament hangs in the front sumo wrestling by observing awarded the ultimate trophy, the from the belt. This zigzag pattern ancient traditions and ceremonies Emperor’s Cup. Hair Design is a religious symbol of Japan during their training, and when The ranks below the juryou rank found in shrines and used in they participate in the offi cial The rikishi (wrestler) that wins at wear a hair style called chon-mage; shrines in Japanese homes. sumo tournaments. Six Grand least eight of his fi fteen matches a plain style tied with paper strings. Tournaments, or Basho, a year are is eligible for shukunsho, The rikishi of the maku-uchi (upper held in Japan; three in its capital, kantosho and ginosho awards. 5 divisions) and the juryou ranks , and one each in the cities The shukunsho is awarded to the wear a hair style that is called the of , and Kyushu. rikishi that upset the most o-icho-mage, which is more elaborate yokozuna (grand champions) and and resembles the ginko leaf. The fi fteen day Basho allows ozeki (champions). The kantosho the rikishi of higher ranks to fi ght award is given to the rikishi that Wrestling Garment once per day. The winners and has the best fi ghting spirit. And The rikishi loin cloth is called a losers are tracked just as college the ginosho is an award for the mawashi, and the cloth is about basketball tournaments. A chart best wrestling technique. 10 yards long by 2 feet wide. It is in the tournament program helps folded in six and then wrapped spectators to organize the winners around the waist of the rikishi four of the matches. to seven times depending on the size of the rikishi’s waist. Different types of mawashi are worn for training and for tournaments. Basho: Offi Competitioncial Tournament During the sumo tournaments, maku-uchi rikishi (the fi ve upper ranked rikishi) wear kesho-awashi or ceremonial aprons which are more elaborate and display special symbols in the materials. These aprons are made of silk, embroidered with special designs and hemmed Sumo Attire with gold fringe. (top): Presentation of Sakura Cup (bottom): 2007 Grand Sumo Tournament

4 5 Dohyo: Traditional The Sumo Ring Ceremonies

Aka-Busa Shiro-Busa (Red Tassel) MUKO-JOMEN (White Tassel) (SOUTH) A tournament begins with the yokozuna enters the arena. dohyo-iri or “entering the ring” Mizu-Oke Mizuhaki-Guchi (Water Bucket) ceremony. The maku-uchi rikishi The yokozuna is escorted by a senior (the fi ve upper ranked sumo gyoji (), and two maku-uchi Shio-Kago (Salt Basket) wrestlers) participate in the dohyo- rikishi. The rikishi are in full ceremonial Toku-Dawara iri and wear their kesho-mawashi dress with one bearing a sword, EAST WEST or ceremonial aprons. These a symbol that represents samurai Janomeno-Suna Shikiri-Sen wrestlers are divided up into East warriors. The gyoji and two (Bull’s Eye Ring) and West groups and are in order attendants crouch in the dohyo, as DOHYO by their ranking. Maegashira (5th) the yokozuna prepares to perform and Komusubi (4th) ranks, followed the dohyo-iri ceremony. by the more experienced ranks of SHOMEN Ao-Busa (NORTH) Kuro-Busa Sekiwake (3rd) and Ozeki (2nd). This solemn ritual is a tradition (Green Tassel) (Black Tassel) that all yokozuna uphold in a The dohyo is specially constructed The direction bearings, East, West, Opening Ceremony: dignifi ed respectful manner. You by hand and takes one week to North and South, are important to Dohyo-Iri will see the yokozuna stand in an build. The dohyo stands 2 feet the design of the dohyo. East and West Yokozunas Perform upright position with his knees high and is 18 feet square. It is Each of the East and West groups bent and on his toes. He loudly made of special clay found in and A giant colored tassel hangs on of maku-uchi rikishi are represented claps his hands together to attract transported from Japan and has a each corner of the Shinto roof. by a head yokozuna. An entering the attention of the gods. He then thin top layer of sand. Each color signifi es a season of the ring ceremony or dohyo-iri is extends his arms wide, and opens the year. White signifi es autumn, done by both East and West his palms to demonstrate that he The inner circle where the wrestling black is winter, green is spring and yokozunas. The ceremony carries no weapons. takes place is 15 feet in diameter. red is summer. The white and red begins when the East group’s There is a traditional blessing tassels hang on the south side of of the dohyo ceremony led by a the roof, and the green and black Dohyo-Matsuri who buries grains tassels hang on the north side. A of crops in the center of the ring. salt basket and a water container This represents the hopes for are placed on the North and South bountiful crops at harvest time. corners of the dohyo. For the tournament opening ceremonies Dohyo Design two groups of maku-uchi rikishi There are several key elements (wrestlers) enter the dohyo; the Traditional Ceremonies Dohyo: The Sumo Ring of the dohyo design. First, a roof fi rst group enters from the East, resembling a Shinto shrine or and the other group of rikishi tsuriyane hangs above the dohyo enters from the West. which honors the ancient religious roots of sumo wrestling.

6 7 Traditional Ceremonies Gyoji and Judges

Referees are called gyoji, and Judges are the offi cials that judge the Judges dressed in black formal wrestling bout. They are ranked, sit along the four sides of just like sumo wrestlers. the dohyo. Five judges are present A tate-gyoji is the highest ranked for all tournament matches. The referee, and judges all wrestling chief judge sits on the North side bouts of any yokozuna. in front of the dohyo. One judge sits at each of the directions: East, In the opening ceremony, the All the gyoji carry a fan that has a West, North and South. When yokozuna’s kesho-mawashi in ancient times. A winning rikishi tassel and its color indicates what there is a question about a gyoji’s (ceremonial apron) hangs in was awarded a bow for winning the rank is of the gyoji. The tate-gyoji (referee) ruling, the judges enter full display. wrestling matches, and expressed rank (highest rank) has a purple or the ring to discuss the situation. his appreciation by doing a dance purple and white tassel; san-yaku These judges will either over-rule a At the end of the ritual to drive with the bow. This tradition is rank is red, maku-uchi rank is red decision or order a rematch. away any spirits, he will lift to upheld during the closing ceremony. and white, juryo rank is blue and his side, one leg very high into the white, and either a blue or black air, and bring it down to make a A rikishi is selected from the makushita tassel for the lower ranks. The fan loud clap noise. When the ceremony rank, after the fi nal wrestling is used to give signals to start the is completed, the East yokozuna match, to receive the bow award. wrestling bout, and the winner. and attendants exit the dohyo. The bow is handed to the makushita Next, the West yokozuna enters rikishi by the gyoji, and the dance The gyoji attire is a of the the arena, with his senior gyoji is performed with the bow being style worn by samurai warriors of (referee), and two maku-uchi twirled in various routines. ancient times. Their hat resembles rikishi. The ritual is conducted in a Shinto priest hat and is made the same manner by the West of black gauze. The highest yokozuna, and he too wears a ranking gyoji wear split-toe kesho-mawashi with a heavy hemp socks with straw sandals, rope belt that has two large bows (called zori), while lower in the back. When this ritual has ranked gyoji are . ended and the West yokozuna and attendants have exited the dohyo, the wrestling matches begin.

Traditional Ceremonies Tournament’s Closing Ceremony The yumitori-shiki or “bow dance” Gyoji and Judges is the traditional dance that originated

8 9 Sumo Wrestling Tournament Rules Begins

The gyoji will start the wrestling crouch with toes lined up in the To win a bout the rikishi It is against the rules to: bout by entering the dohyo ring correct location which is called (wrestler) must force his opponent ❖ opponents with fi sts, and calling out the names of the sonkyo. out of the inner circle or ❖ pull hair, sumo wrestlers. The rikishi him in the dohyo. A rematch is ❖ gouge eyes, (wrestler) has chosen a special Get Set, Ready Position: Shikiri authorized when both competitors ❖ choke, sumo name that comes from their The rikishi will move to the center touch the surface of the inside or ❖ kick in the stomach or chest, or sumo master’s name or his place of of the dohyo, squat, and face each outside dohyo at the same time. ❖ seize the loin cloth or mawashi birth. The ending of the name can other. This is called shikiri, when that covers vital organs. be: –umi (meaning sea), –yama they crouch and glare at each A rikishi loses a match when he: (mountain), or –gawa (river). The other with their fi sts on the ❖ falls down in the dohyo, There are hundreds of wrestling gyoji undergoes special voice training ground. This is similar to how NFL/ ❖ any part of his body, from his moves that the rikishi must train and uses a high-pitch to call out AFL football players line up prior fi nger tip to the top-knot of his and master. each of the rikishi’s name. to hiking the football. hair, touches the ground, ❖ steps over the straw bales that Some common sumo moves: Entering the Dohyo: Each rikishi can stand up to throw mark the circle. ❖ Shoving out of the ring: Shiomaki Symbolic Gesture off the concentration of the other Oshi-Dashi Each rikishi enters the dohyo and wrestler. There are time limits to ❖ Leg trip: Soto-Gake getting into position; the lower completes symbolic gestures that ❖ Underarm throw: Shitate-Nage ranks must begin wrestling at are a sumo wrestling tradition. ❖ Lift and throw out of the ring: once, while higher ranks can take Water and salt are symbols of purity. Tsuri-Dashi up to seven minutes. Both wrestlers First, the rikishi rinses his mouth ❖ Lifting up and throwing down will throw salt again, and then with water and wipes his body in the ring: Tsuri-Otoshi resume the shikiri . with a cloth as symbols of cleansing ❖ Catching a leg and pushing his mind and body. Purifying the down: Ashi- When the rikishi are in the get-set ring by throwing salt is only done ❖ Lifting with both hands of shikiri position, the gyoji (referee) by higher ranked rikishi. the opponent’s belt to move signals with his fan, and the wrestling out of the ring: Yori-Kiri Preparing to Wrestle: Chiri-o-kiru match begins. The initial clash is & Sonkyo Postures called -ai, and the following Each rikishi will squat on their move, when the rikishi actually toes, and stretch their arms wide grasp each other, is called torikumi. with their palms open to show each other they respect fair play The winner of the bout is

Sumo Wrestling Begins which is referred to as chiri-o-kiru. indicated by the gyoji when They move closer to the center of he points his fan at the winner. the ring where the toe line marks Only the referee and judges Rules Tournament are located. This is a line that they can protest or make objections don’t cross prior to the bout. They to decisions.

10 11 OZEKI is the term for champion and is the TATE-GYOJI: the highest ranked referee Words to Know second highest rank of rikishi. that judges wrestling bouts of a yokozuna. This rank is indicated by a purple or purple RIKISHI is the term for sumo wrestlers. and white tassel on his fan.

RIKISHI RANKING: #1 rank is Yokozuna, TORIKUMI: after the two rikishi (wrestlers) #2 rank is Ozeki, #3 rank is Sekiwake, #4 make initial contact and they actually ? rank is Komusubi, #5 rank is Maegashira, grasp each other to wrestle. #6 rank is Juryou, #7 rank is Makushita, #8 rank is Sandanme, #9 rank is Jonidan, #10 TSURIYANE: the roof that resembles rank is Jonokuchi. a Shinto shrine which hangs above the dohyo (wrestling ring). GYOJI: a referee that resides over the SAMURAI: a highly trained military sumo wrestling match. warrior of ancient Japan that practiced a YUMITORI-SHIKI: a “bow dance” is a special code of conduct and ethics. traditional dance performed by makushita BASHO: the six grand tournaments held KANTOSHO: the award given to the rikishi rikishi at the conclusion of a sumo in Japan each year; three in its capital, that has the best fi ghting spirit in SHIKIRI: when sumo opponents crouch wrestling tournament. Tokyo, and one each in the cities of Osaka, a tournament. and stare at each other with their fi sts on Nagoya and Kyushu. the ground. This is the beginning of the YOKOZUNA: the title of the grand KESHO-MAWASHI: the ceremonial aprons wrestling bout, and resembles the stance champion, the highest rank a rikishi can BANZUKE: the offi cial ranking list of are made of silk, embroidered with special of NFL/AFL football players lining up attain in professional sumo wrestling. sumo rikishi (wrestlers) issued by the Nihon designs and hemmed with gold fringe. before the football is hiked. Sumo Kyokai. These are worn during sumo tournament ZORI: a straw sandal that higher ranked ceremonies and by the maku-uchi group of gyoji () wear with a split-toe sock. CHIRI-O-KIRU: sumo wrestling opponents rikishi wrestlers. SHIOMAKI: throwing of the salt ritual stretch their arms wide and palms open performed by rikishi in upper maku-uchi to show each other they respect fair play MAKU-UCHI GROUP: the top fi ve ranks ranks as they enter the ring to purify prior to a bout beginning. of the professional sumo wrestlers as the dohyo. determined by Nihon Sumo Kyokai, the CHON-MAGE: the plain hair style tied with organization that oversees professional SHUKUNSHO: the award given to the paper strings worn by rikishi of the lower sumo wrestling. rikishi (wrestler) that upset the most ranks below makushita. yokozuna (grand champions) and ozeki MAWASHI: the loin cloth worn by the (champions) in a tournament. DOHYO: (pronounced: dough-yo) The ring rikishi (wrestler). The design style worn by in which the sumo wrestling takes place. a rikishi is determined by his rank order. SONKYO: wrestling opponents position Hand made using special clay to create a hard themselves in the center of the ring, with surface with a thin top layer of sand, the MAKUSHITA: the rank of rikishi that is toes lined up where the bout will begin. dohyo is 18 feet square and 2 feet high, and chosen to do the ceremonial bow dance which takes one week to construct by hand. occurs at the end of a tournament. TACHI-AI: the initial clash between the two rikishi as they come up out of the get-set DOHYO-MATSURI: an offi cial who NIHON SUMO KYOKAI is the offi cial position (shikiri) that resembles football performs a traditional dohyo ‘blessing’ name of the organization that oversees players before the football is hiked. ceremony where he buries grains in the the professional sumo wrestling References: center of the dohyo ring which represents tournaments, the banzuke (ranking list of Sumo: authored by hopes for bountiful crops at harvest time. /wrestlers), and is responsible for the rules, Nihon-Sumo-Kyokai organization of Japan regulations, wrestling ethics, and DOHYO-IRI: the “entering the ring” ceremonial traditions of sumo wrestling. History of Sumo video: Grand Sumo ceremony of the sumo wrestling tournament Nihon translated to English means Japan, Tournament 2007 in Hawaii, www.sumohawaii.com which includes the maku-uchi rikishi (the and Kyokai means organization. fi ve upper ranked wrestlers). International Sumo Federation website: http://amaterusumo.com/nsrsumobook O-ICHO-MAGE: the hair style of the rikishi GINOSHO: an award for the best of the maku-uchi (upper 5 divisions) and Photos courtesy of McKenzie Media Circus and wrestling technique of a rikishi in the juryou ranks which is elaborate and Mr. George Kodama Words to Know Words to Know a tournament. resembles the ginko leaf. A sumo website: http://www.Sumotalk.com

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