"SUMO #1"


Legend says that the ancient Gods compared their strengths in a form of SUMO wrestling. The first historical account of SUMO wrestling was recorded in Nihonshoki (a chronicle of Japan), where it indicates that SUMO wrestling had already been held in the Court 1300 years ago. Among ordinary people, SUMO as a form of Shinto ritual was held at the event for praying good harvest and reading the fortune of harvest. This iteration of SUMO called "Shinji Zumo" became popular among the aristocracies and was later approved as a national event to foretell the year. As a result, SUMO developed not only as a sport but also as a Shinto ritual. With such background, SUMO maintained number of rules and formalities as it evolved to the form we know today. Here are some descriptions of the special formalities unique to Sumo.

The SUMO's platform is called "dohyo" and it is made from mud. The height of sumo ring is limited to about 34-60cm(13.4-23.6 inch), mud is built to make a square, 6m70cm(21.98 feet) each side and a circle with a diameter of 4m55cm (14.9 feet) is made in the center by using 20 straw bags. When we look up to the roof that covers over dohyo, we see four colored tassels at the corner end, which symbolizes the protection of the ring, and each of them refers to the God of four seasons that was originally brought from China. A blue tassel in the east means god of spring, a red one in the south refers to a god of summer, a white one of the west indicates a god of autumn, and a black one of the north is set for a god of winter.

As Sumo wrestlers go up to the ring, they bow before a match, and they stamp twice on the ring to raise their right and left feet alternatively, in an act that is called "Shiko wo fumu" . This stamping is a ceremonial act to repel and clear any evil. After sumo wrestlers stamped "shiko", they wash their mouth out with holy water called "Chikaramizu" in a bucket placed under the ring. And then, the wrestlers toss and scatter salt onto the ring to purify and pray not to get injured. The reason for using water and salt is that they are ceremoniously believed in Japan to have the power of purification. Next, both wrestlers put their body down, face each other, reach out their arms and hand forward to slap once, then slowly open their arms towards the side, turning their hands up. This performance of open hands is to show each other that they stand fair without any possession of weapons. When the wrestler get ready in accordance with instruction of the referee called "gyoji", they position themselves facing each other, bend forward while observing the opponent's movement, put their fists on the ground to raise their body upwards, and at referee's call, then they start thrusting, pushing, and grappling. The first one who touches any part of his body except the soles of his feet to the ground, or whose any part of body is pushed out of the ring, is the loser.

When the winner is given a prize money placed on "gunbai" (a fan that sumo referee possesses), the wrestler cuts a line in the air with his hands from left, right and centre in order, as if to make a cross, and this act is also stems from the ancient tradition of good manners and form, signifying the humbleness. The prize system started from Heian period (760 - 1191), cloth, rice, bow, "katana"(sword), horse, etc. were presented to winner in those days, but after 1940s, the necessities of life such as rice and "miso" (a kind of seasoning) were presented, and even prize money has been provided starting from 1960.

In the next issue, we will give you some advice to become a good spectator of SUMO.