Sumo, a form of wrestling, holds the status of Japan’s national sport. In addition to wrestlers’ colorful mawashi (belly bands) and distinctive hair styles called oicho (ginkgo-leaf knot), both of which evoke images of ancient times, sumo retains many of its traditional practices, such as its dohyo (elevated straw ring), ranking system, and ties to Shinto religious ceremony.
The word sumo is written with the Chinese characters for “mutual bruising.”
Although sumo’s history goes back to ancient times, it became a professional sport in the early Edo period (1600-1868).
Today, this almost exclusively male sport is practised by clubs in high schools and universities, as well as by amateur associations. Both in Japan and abroad, however, sumo is best known as a professional spectator sport.
Handfuls of salt are repeatedly tossed into the air to purify the ring.
After this extended warmup, a match often ends in a matter of seconds, although some may continue for several minutes, and a few even require a brief mizuiri (intermission) to allow the wrestlers to rest before concluding the bout.
Winning techniques in sumo, of which there are 70, involve pushing or lifting out of the ring; using a grip on the belt to “throw” one’s opponent down; leg trips; jumping quickly to the side during the initial charge and slapping the opponent off balance; and digging in at the edge of the straw ring to toss an opponent out, just before falling out oneself.
Sumo is especially admired for its dignity and composure. Arguments over a referee’s ruling or displays of poor sportsmanship are unheard of. While vigorous open-handed slaps to the upper body are permitted, such tactics as striking with fists, kicking, and hair pulling are strictly prohibited. And although the results of some bouts are so close that the referee’s decision must be reviewed (and sometimes overturned) by the judges, neither winner nor loser ever raises a protest, and they seldom display more emotion than an occasional smile or frown.
