Sumo wrestlers, who are also known as “Rikishi”,
compete with each other in wrestling in a circular
area. This martial art originated in Japan centuries
ago and has a great religious importance in the
country. It has some traditional rituals involved
such as using salt to purify, which is part of the
Shinto religion. Sumo wrestling of Japan even has
influence on martial arts of its neighboring
countries like Korean Ssireum, Chinese Shuai jiao,
and Mongolian wrestling.
Sumo was known as Sumai in the 8th century. Back
then the rules involved were less in number and men
used to fight till death. That is the reason why the
wrestler who looses in a match is referred to as
Shini-tai or dead body. Even today some of the
shrines conduct ritual dance where a man wrestles
with a Kami or a Shinto God. This contest was known
as Sumai no Sechie or Sumai party. This ritual was
also held in the imperial court and it was a must
for the representatives of every province to attend
this ceremony. Sumo was also a part of the training
for the warriors and that’s the reason that
originally sumo wrestlers were samurai.
In the initial years, to win, one Rikishi had to
throw the other. Later on, the concept of pushing
the opponent outside the ring was introduced. The
size of the ring or Dohyo was defined in the
sixteenth century. When both the wrestlers touch the
ground at the same time, the one in the superior
position is declared as the winner. Other way of
determining the winner is that whoever uses Kinjite
or illegal methods and whoever’s belts get undone
are declared looser immediately. The Dohyo is
usually filled with clay and sand. After each
tournament, the sand is cleared and given as
souvenirs to fans. It is the responsibility of the
Yobidashi to prepare the ring for each match and
even for training stables.
The clothing worn by Rikishi of old times also was
also different from those worn by today’s Rikishi.
Wrestlers used to wear loose loincloths unlike
present day wrestlers who wear firm clothing called
Mawashi. The rules and regulations of the games were
developed completely in the Edo period and is pretty
much the same till now. Sumo matches lasts for just
few minutes because it will be very easy for the
stronger wrestler to either throw down or push his
opponent out of the ring. Apart from having
wrestling skill, a huge body mass is a great
advantage.
Oyakata or retired sumo wrestlers have formed the
Japan Sumo Association. This association is
responsible for holding tournaments and training
wrestlers. Wrestlers are given ranks and their
promotion or demotion entirely depends on their
performances in the previous grand sumo tournaments.
The six divisions in descending order are Makuuchi,
Juryo, Makushita, Sandanme, Jonidan and Jonokuchi.
Every year six Grand Sumo tournaments or Honbasho
are held. Three of these are conducted at The Sumo
Hall or Ryogoku Kokugikan, one in Osaka, Nagoya and
Fukuoka each. Foreigners are also a part of these
tournaments. The first foreigner to participate was
Takamiyama from Hawaii.
Sumo wrestlers maintain long hairs which are tied in
a topknot, like the samurais of the Edo Period.
Depending on the rank of the Rikishi, dresses
differ. They also wear geta or wooden sandals.
Beginners are expected to help with the chores in
the Sekitori and are made to get up early than
senior wrestlers. Rikishis skips their breakfast and
have a large lunch called Chakonabe. It consists of
different kinds of meat, fish, rice and vegetables.
They take excessive amount of food along with beer
to increase their weights. But this practice has
ill-effects on the health, which was discovered
recently. A sumo lives ten years shorter than
ordinary Japanese. They often complain of high blood
pressure, heart diseases and diabetes. Considering
this the weight standards have been decreased
tremendously in recent times.
