Japanese Sumo

Ke Peng| Student’s Presentations for Languages & Cultures of East Asia

What is sumo? Sumo is the national sport of Japan. Sumo is
A type of wrestling
Related to Shinto ritual
Festival

Origin of Sumo According to the Chronicles of Japan, Nihon Shoki, sumo started at 23 B.C.
Since 726 A.C., sumo has been at the event for the Imperial Court.
In the early Edo period (1603 - 1868 A.C.), the professional sumo was developed.


Rule The winner of sumo is - the wrestler to force the opponents to step out of the ring - the wrestler to force the opponents to touch the ground with any parts of his body except for his soles
No punch, no kick, etc


Sumo Tournaments There are six tournaments in different places in Japan each year.
Each tournaments runs for 15 days.
Each wrestler in the upper divisions has one match per day.
The wrestler who win the most matches over 15 days wins the tournament championship.


Sumo Tournaments The matchups are made based on wrestler’s division.
No match between wrestlers from the same training stable.
No match between brothers.


Sumo Match 1. Sikiri (toeing the mark)
The preparation period before a bout.
Sumo wrestlers enter into the circular ring, stare each other down, crouch, and perform a Shinto ritual of throwing salt.
The performance can be repeated until the both of wrestlers agree to do a bout.

Sumo Match 2. Tachiai (Attendance)
The initial charge at the beginning of a bout.
Sumo wrestlers fight each other. 3. Determination of a winner. 4. Determination of a winning technique. Shijyu-hate (Forty-eight ways) http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=YBPFcYLZQA&feature=related

NH1

Rank



There are six divisions. The highest division is divided into six ranks.

横綱 Yokozuna 大関 Ozeki

幕内 Makuuchi 関脇 Sekiwake

十両 Jyuuryou 幕下 Makushita

小結 Komusubi

三段目 Sandanme

前頭 Maegashira

序二段 Jyonidan 序の口 Jyonokuchi

Slide 9 NH1

Naohiro Horie, 7/1/2008

Rikishi (Sumo Wrestler) Appearance
Sumo wrestler wears only mawashi, thick-waisted loincloth which is made of silk or cotton.
The hairstyle is called oichyo (big ginkgo)

Heya (Room) Heya is a communal sumo training stable and organization where wrestlers train and live.
All wrestlers must belong to a stable.
Heya is set up by oyakata (親方), sumo coach.
There is no transfer system between stables.


Shiko


Shiko is performed before each bout in order to drive away noxious vapors in the ring.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=fH5hZv_t468

Shinto in Sumo Tuna (rope) and shide (zigzag paper stripes)
Tuna and shide mean a sacred space.

Shinto in Sumo



Salt is used for purification of the ring. In Shinto, it is believed that salt drives away noxious vapors, Jyaki (邪気).

Shinto in Sumo Chikara-Mizu (Power water)
The wrestler rinse out his mouse before a bout with ladleful of water in order to purify his body

Discussion Question Why is sumo so popular in Japan?
Do you know any wrestling like sumo in the other countries in East Asia.
What is the difference between them?
Is that also popular in that country?