More than 10 years later, not much has changed. I still watch sumo with my dad whenever I can, and he's still the biggest sumo fan I know (not literally!). So I'm dedicating this article to my dad, and to all you aspiring sumo wrestling enthusiasts out there! Hopefully this article can become the perfect companion for you to have when watching a Sumo Basho!
Okay, let's start with some brief history. (If you'd prefer to watch a video, I recommend that you check out the National Geographic Channel's special "Inside Sumo" documentary, and then feel free to come back when you're done. It's very entertaining, you're in for a treat!)
The tradition of Sumo Wrestling is said to have started over 2,000 years ago. During the Heian period (794-1192), the imperial family often watched sumo as a form of entertainment. Sumo has since evolved over many centuries, with the first professional sumo wrestlers appearing during the Edo period (1603-1868). Because of this long history, sumo is often considered as Japan's one true national sport.
Although sumo is indeed a sport, sumo and Japan's Shinto religion go hand in hand, and according to SumoTalk.com, this "dates as far back as the Tumulus period (250-552)." But it wasn't until the 17th century that sumo began adopting the intense purification rituals that we see in tournaments today.
Most of the Shinto that we see in sumo occurs symbolically.
To begin with, the sand that covers the clay of the dohyo is itself a symbol of purity in the Shinto religion. And the canopy above the ring (yakata) is made in the style of the roof of a Shinto shrine. The four tassels on each corner of the canopy represent the four seasons, the white one as autumn, black as winter, green as spring and red as summer. The purple bunting around the roof symbolizes the drifting of the clouds and the rotation of the seasons. The referee (gyoji) resembles a Shinto priest in his traditional robe. And kelp, cuttlefish, and chestnuts are placed in the ring along with prayers for safety.
Each day of the tournament (basho), a ring entering ceremony is held, wherein each wrestler's body and spirit undergoes purification. Yokozuna are dressed in mawashi with five white zigzag folded strips of paper on the front, the same as those found at the entrance of Shinto shrines. On the front of all mawashi are sagari, which are fringes of twisted string tucked into the belt, and they represent the sacred ropes in front of shrines. Numbers of strings are odd, between seventeen and twenty-one, which are lucky numbers in the Shinto tradition. And of course, the salt that is tossed before each bout is an agent for purification and one of sumo's most visible rituals.
As a religion of customs and not laws, Shinto developed as a religion to please the gods in order to ensure a good harvest and divine protection, but soon made headway into the sport of sumo as a way to entertain those same gods, purify the sport itself and protect the rikishi [the wrestlers] from harm. — Sumo Talk.
The word Sumo, or 相撲, literally means "to mutually strike, or slap" an opponent. However, there is a deeper meaning within this word, and that is "to compete" or "to be a match for."
For those of you who have yet to see a sumo wrestling match, the goal of sumo is to defeat your opponents (one by one) by either knocking them over, or by pushing them out of the ring within the elevated square stage. The wrestler can slap, shove, and tug at his opponent's Mawashi (*ahem* the colorful silk diapers) in order to accomplish this.
Alright, so now you know some basic history. Let's move onto slightly more important things! After all, you can't fully understand a sumo tournament with the history alone. The key to impressing all your Japanese friends with your vast sumo knowledge is through sumo terminology. Only then will you become the sumo master!
Let's start with the basics.
A sumo tournament is called a Basho (試合). There are a total of 6 grand tournaments every year. These 15-day tournaments are held every other month.
A professional sumo wrestler is called a Rikishi (力士). The two kanji characters that make up this word are "strength" and "gentleman/samurai." A gentleman of strength. The grand champions are known as the Yokozuna (横綱) and there are normally no more than two at a tournament.
Referees are called Gyouji (行司) and have a ranking system all their own. This rank represents the rank of wrestler that they are qualified to referee for. But, unlike the wrestlers, promotion is largely determined by length of service.
Although more commonly known as a Heya (部屋), a Sumo-beya (相撲部屋) is the training facility (or "stable") that sumo wrestlers live and train in. As of November 2013, there are currently 43 of these facilities within Japan. A sumo wrestler is expected to stay with the heya he joins until the end of his career. There is no transfer system. A heya may only be set up by an oyakata or elder of Japan's Sumo Association. An Oyakata (親方) acts as the "master" and coach for those in his heya. A heya is always named after its founding oyakata.
Danpatsu-shiki (断髪式) is the retirement ceremony where a sumo wrestler's topknot is cut off.
Deshi (弟子) is an apprentice or understudy. Used to describe the lower-ranked wrestlers in a stable.
Dohyo (土俵) is the clay ring within the square in which a sumo match takes place.
Dohyo-iri (土俵入り) is the ring-entering ceremony.
Dohyo-matsuri (土俵祭り) is the ceremony to purify the dohyo on the first day of a tournament.
Literal meaning: area festival.
Heya-gashira (部屋頭) is the highest-ranked wrestler in a sumo stable.
Kyujo (休場) means to sit out a tournament due to injury. (A sumo wrestler's absence from a tournament).
Mawashi (回し) is the thick belt that is wrapped around a sumo wrestler's waist. It is wound in such a manner that protects the genitals as well as offering a way for the combatants to grapple.
Sekitori (関取) is a wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two divisions; those who are being paid a salary.
Sekiwake (関脇) is the junior champion rank of Sumo. Usually two to four wrestlers hold this rank.
Shikiri (仕切り) is the preliminaries and warm-up routines before a bout.
Heya-gashira (部屋頭) is the highest-ranked wrestler in a sumo stable.
Kyujo (休場) means to sit out a tournament due to injury. (A sumo wrestler's absence from a tournament).
Mawashi (回し) is the thick belt that is wrapped around a sumo wrestler's waist. It is wound in such a manner that protects the genitals as well as offering a way for the combatants to grapple.
Sekitori (関取) is a wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two divisions; those who are being paid a salary.
Sekiwake (関脇) is the junior champion rank of Sumo. Usually two to four wrestlers hold this rank.
Shikiri (仕切り) is the preliminaries and warm-up routines before a bout.
Shikiri-sen (仕切り線) is the starting lines in a sumo ring.
Shiko (指呼) is the stamping of feet on the ground to strengthen the legs, and to taunt the opponent.
Taiketsu (対決) is a match between two sumo wrestlers.
Tate-gyoji (立て行司) is the chief gyoji. The head referee!
Shiko (指呼) is the stamping of feet on the ground to strengthen the legs, and to taunt the opponent.
Taiketsu (対決) is a match between two sumo wrestlers.
Tate-gyoji (立て行司) is the chief gyoji. The head referee!
Tegata (手形) is a sumo wrestler's hand print, and their equivalent of a signature.
Now that you've got the basics down, let's move onto even tougher vocabulary. These are the words that you'll likely hear from the commentators, especially during and after a match.
Harite (張り手) is an open-fisted slap to the side of your opponent's face.
Henka (変化) is side-stepping your opponent's initial charge. Literally meaning "to change" or "to alter."
Hikiwaza (引き技) is the technique of pulling down your opponent to the ground. (Usually after side-stepping his initial charge.)
Inashi (いなし) is a well-timed slap to the opponent's side causing him to fall to the ring floor.
Makikae (巻き替え) is changing from an overarm to an underarm grip on your opponent's belt.
Matta (待った) a false start at the beginning of a bout. Literally meaning having "to wait."
Nekodamashi (猫騙し) is a move first used by sumo wrestler Mainoumi; where one claps his hands in front of his opponent's face in order to throw him off guard. This move literally means "fooling the cat."
Okuridashi (送り出し) is a winning technique that involves pushing the opponent out of the ring from behind.
Shitatenage (下手投げ) is a winning technique that involves throwing the opponent down by using an inner grip on his mawashi. This is also the term for an "underarm throw" in baseball.
Tachiai (立ち合い) is the initial charge at the beginning of a bout.
Torikumi (取組) is a Sumo bout, or match.
Tori-naoshi (取り直し) is a rematch, called when a bout is too close to determine the winner.
Yorikiri (寄り切り) is a winning technique that involves holding the opponent's belt while pushing them out of the ring.
Yotsu-zumo (四つ相撲) is when both wrestlers grasp each other's belts with both hands. (Ie. four hands.)
Yusho (優勝) is a tournament victory. Overall victory, championship.
So there you have it! If you can remember all these terms, you are well on your way to becoming the ultimate Sumo Master. And if you can't... well, you can always open up this article during a basho, and you'll be well prepared to discuss the match with others. If anything, it's a great opportunity to practice your Japanese and learn new things, and that's what we're all about here at Gaiwa.
Also, if you have access to Japanese TV, the 2014 Summer Basho is currently going on in Tokyo. If you don't already know how to set up Japanese TV on your computer, stop by the forums and I'm sure someone can help you set things up! And if you missed the Summer Basho, don't worry. The next basho will take place in Nagoya on July 13.
So, lovely readers, do you watch Sumo? Have you ever been to a basho before?
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