SUMO

is a competitive contact sport where two wrestlers called ''rikishi'' face off in a circular area. The sport is popular in Japan and is surrounded by ceremony and ritual. The Japanese consider sumo a ''gendai budō'': a modern Japanese martial art, even though the sport has a history spanning many centuries. The sumo tradition is very ancient, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt for purification, from the days sumo was used in the Shinto religion.

Contents

Origins of sumo

Winning a sumo bout

The wrestling ring (''dohyō'')

Professional sumo

Foreign participation

Professional sumo tournaments

Bout preparation

A professional sumo bout

Life as a professional sumo wrestler

Salary and payment

Sumo and Shinto

Controversy

Memorabilia

Sumo in contrast to other Eastern martial arts

Amateur sumo

See also

Footnotes and References

Books

External links

Origins of sumo

Sumo was mentioned in Nihon Shoki, one of the earliest texts in Japan, under its earlier name ''sumai'', from the 8th century A.D. However, these early forms would not be sumo as it is known today, as in many cases the wrestling had relatively few rules and unarmed fights to the death were still referred to as "sumo".
In addition to its use as a trial of strength in combat, it has also been associated with Shinto ritual, and even today certain shrines carry out forms of ritual dance where a human ceremonially wrestles with a ''kami'' (a Shinto divine spirit). It was an important ritual at the imperial court. Representatives of each province were ordered to attend the contest at the court and fought. They needed to pay for their travels themselves. The contest was known as ''sumai'' ''no sechie,'' or "sumai party."
Over the rest of Japanese recorded history, sumo's popularity has changed according to the whims of its rulers and the need for its use as a training tool in periods of civil strife. The form of wrestling combat probably changed gradually into one where the main aim in victory was to throw one's opponent. The concept of pushing one's opponent out of a defined area came some time later.
It is believed that a ring, defined by more than the area given to the wrestlers by spectators, came into being in the 16th century as a result of a tournament organized by the then-principal warlord in Japan, Oda Nobunaga. At this point wrestlers would wear loose loincloths, rather than the much stiffer ''mawashi'' of today. During the Edo period, wrestlers would wear a fringed ''kesho-mawashi'' during the bout, whereas today these are worn only during pre-tournament rituals. Most of the rest of the current forms within the sport developed in the early Edo period.
can trace its roots back to the Edo Period in Japan as a form of sporting entertainment. The original wrestlers were probably samurai, often ronin, who needed to find an alternative form of income.
Nations adjacent to Japan, sharing many cultural traditions, also feature styles of traditional wrestling that bear resemblance to sumo. Notable examples include Mongolian wrestling, Chinese Shuai jiao (摔角), and Korean Ssireum. Examples of Chinese art from 220 BCE show the wrestlers stripped to the waist and their bodies pressed shoulder to shoulder.^[1]

Winning a sumo bout

The winner of a sumo bout is mainly determined by two rules:
# The first person to touch the ground with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet loses.
# The first person to be pushed out of the ring loses.
On rare occasions the referee or judges may award the win to the wrestler who touched the ground first; this happens if both wrestlers touch the ground at the same time and it is decided that the wrestler who touched the ground second had no chance of winning as, due to the superior sumo of his opponent, he was already in an irrecoverable position. The losing wrestler is referred to as being ''shini-tai'' (“dead body”) in this case.
There are also a number of other rarely used rules that can be used to determine the winner. For example a wrestler using an illegal technique (or ''kinjite'') automatically loses, as does one whose ''mawashi'' (or belt) becomes completely undone. A wrestler failing to turn up for his bout (including through a prior injury) also automatically loses (''fusenpai''). After the winner is declared, an off-stage ''gyoji'' (or referee) determines the ''kimarite'' (or winning technique) used in the bout, which is then announced to the audience.
Matches often last only a few seconds, as usually one wrestler is quickly ousted from the circle or thrown to the ground. However they can occasionally last for several minutes. Each match is preceded by an elaborate ceremonial ritual. The wrestlers themselves are renowned for their great girth, as body mass is often a winning factor in sumo, though with skill, smaller wrestlers can topple far larger opponents.^[2]

The wrestling ring (''dohyō'')

Main articles: dohyō

Sumo matches take place in a ''dohyō'' (土俵): a ring, 4.55 meters in diameter, of rice-straw bales on top of a platform made of clay mixed with sand. A new ''dohyō'' is built for each tournament by the ''yobidashi''. At the center are two white lines, the ''shikiri-sen'', behind which the wrestlers position themselves at the start of the bout. ^[3] A roof resembling that of a Shinto shrine may be suspended over the dohyō.

Professional sumo

Currently professional sumo is organized by the Japan Sumo Association. The members of the association, called ''oyakata'', are all former wrestlers, and are the only people entitled to train new wrestlers. All practising wrestlers are members of a training stable (''heya'') run by one of the ''oyakata'', who is the stablemaster for the wrestlers under him. Currently there are 54 training stables for about 700 wrestlers.^[4]
All sumo wrestlers take wrestling names called ''shikona'' (しこ名), which may or may not be related to their real names. Often wrestlers have little choice in their name, which is given to them by their trainer (or stablemaster), or by a supporter or family member who encouraged them into the sport. This is particularly true of foreign-born wrestlers. A wrestler may change his wrestling name several times during his sumo career. The current trend is for more wrestlers, particularly native Japanese, keeping their own name.
Sumo wrestling is a strict hierarchy based on sporting merit. The wrestlers are ranked according to a system that dates back hundreds of years, to the Edo period. Wrestlers are promoted or demoted according to their previous performance, and a carefully prepared ''banzuke'' listing the full hierarchy is published two weeks prior to each sumo tournament.
There are six divisions in sumo: ''makuuchi'' (fixed at 42 wrestlers), ''jūryō'' (fixed at 28 wrestlers), ''makushita'' (fixed at 120 wrestlers), ''sandanme'' (fixed at 200 wrestlers), ''jonidan'' (approximately 230 wrestlers), and ''jonokuchi'' (approximately 80 wrestlers). Wrestlers enter sumo in the lowest ''jonokuchi'' division and, ability permitting, work their way up to the top division. Wrestlers in the top two division are known as ''sekitori'', while lower division wrestlers are generally referred to by the generic term for wrestlers, ''rikishi''. ^[5].
The topmost ''makuuchi'' division receives the most attention from fans and has the most complex hierarchy. The majority of wrestlers are maegashira and are numbered from one (at the top) down to about sixteen or seventeen. Above the ''maegashira'' are the champion or titleholder ranks, called the ''sanyaku''. These are, in ascending order, ''komusubi'', ''sekiwake'', ''ōzeki'' and, at the pinnacle of the ranking system, ''yokozuna''.
''Yokozuna'', or grand champions, are wrestlers who generally are regularly in competition to win the top division tournament title near the end of a tournament. Hence the promotion criteria are very strict. In general, an ''ōzeki'' must win the championship for two consecutive tournaments or an "equivalent performance" to be considered for promotion to ''yokozuna''..
Exhibition competitions are held at regular intervals every year in Japan, and approximately once every two years the top ranked wrestlers visit a foreign country for such exhibitions. None of these displays are taken into account in determining a wrestler's future rank. Rank is determined only by performance in Grand Sumo Tournaments (or honbasho), which are described in more detail below. ^[3]

Foreign participation

Professional Sumo is practiced exclusively in Japan, but wrestlers of other nationalities participate. The first foreigner to win the top division championship was Hawaii-born Takamiyama in the 1970s. He was followed by fellow Hawaiians Konishiki, the first foreigner to reach the rank of ''ōzeki'' and who won the top division title on three occasions; and Akebono, who became the first foreign born ''yokozuna'' in 1993. Musashimaru, a Samoan-born Hawaiian, became the second foreigner to reach sumo's top rank in the late 1990s. Both of the current ''yokozuna'', Asashoryu and Hakuho, are Mongolian. They are among a group of Mongolian wrestlers who have achieved success in the upper ranks. Wrestlers from Eastern Europe countries such as Georgia and Russia have also found success in the upper levels of sumo. In 2005 Kotooshu from Bulgaria became the first wrestler of European birth to attain ''ōzeki'' ranking. There are currently 59 wrestlers officially listed as foreigners.^[7] In July 2007, there were 19 foreigners in the top two divisions, an all-time record, and for the first time, a majority of wrestlers in the top ''sanyaku'' ranks were from overseas.^[8]

Professional sumo tournaments

The sumo hall of Ryōgoku in Tokyo during the May, 2001 tournament.

There are six Grand Sumo tournaments (or ''honbasho'') each year: three at The Sumo Hall (or 'Ryōgoku Kokugikan') in Ryōgoku, Tokyo (January, May, and September), and one each in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July) and Fukuoka (November). Each tournament begins on a Sunday and runs for 15 days, ending also on a Sunday.^[9] Each wrestler in the top two divisions (''sekitori'') has one match per day, while the lower ranked ''rikishi'' compete in seven bouts, approximately one every two days.

Sumo Nobori flags

Each day is structured so the highest-ranked contestants compete at the end of the day. Thus, wrestling will start in the morning with the jonokuchi wrestlers and end at around six o'clock in the evening with bouts involving the ''yokozuna'', or the ''ōzeki'' in the case of the ''yokozuna's absence. The wrestler who wins the most matches over the fifteen days wins the tournament championship. If two wrestlers are tied for the top, they wrestle each other and the winner takes the title. Three-way ties for the top position are rare, at least in the top division. In these cases the three wrestle each other in pairs with the first to win two in a row taking the tournament. More complex systems for championship playoffs involving four or more wrestlers also exist, but these are usually only seen in determining the winner of one of the lower divisions.
The matchups for each day of the tournament are announced a day in advance. They are determined by oyakata (or sumo elders) who are members of the judging division of the Sumo Association. As there are many more wrestlers in each division than matchups during the tournament each wrestler will only compete against a selection of opponents, mostly from the same division. With the exception of the ''sanyaku'' ranked wrestlers the first bouts tend to be between wrestlers who are within a couple of ranks of each other. Afterwards the selection of opponents takes into account a wrestler's prior performance. For example in the lower divisions the last matchups often involve undefeated wrestlers competing against each other, even if they are from opposite ends of the division. In the top division in the last few days wrestlers with exceptional records will often have matches against much more highly ranked opponents, including ''sanyaku'' wrestlers, especially if they are still in the running for the top division championship. Similarly more highly ranked wrestlers with very poor records may find themselves fighting wrestlers much further down the division. For the ''yokozuna'' and ''ōzeki'' the first week and a half of the tournament tends to be taken up with bouts against the top ''maegashira'', the ''komusubi'' and ''sekiwake'', with the bouts between them being concentrated into the last five days or so of the tournament (depending on the number of top ranked wrestlers competing). It is traditional that on the final day the last three bouts of the tournament are between the top six ranked wrestlers, with the top two competing in the very final matchup, unless injuries during the tournament prevent this.
There are certain match-ups that are prohibited in regular tournament play. Wrestlers who are from the same training stable cannot compete against each other, nor can wrestlers who are brothers, even if they join different stables. The one exception to this rule being that training stable partners and brothers can face each other in a championship deciding playoff match.

Bout preparation

A top division wrestler will arrive at the stadium in the afternoon and enter the changing room. There are 'East' and 'West' rooms so competing wrestlers do not meet their opponents of the day prior to the match. The wrestler will change first into his ''kesho-mawashi'', an ornate, embroidered silk 'apron', which he will wear during the ring entering ceremony, or ''dohyō-iri''. There are four ''dohyō-iri'' on each day, two for ''jyuryo'' and two for ''makuuchi'' division wrestlers. In each case there is a procession of those in the east changing room and one for those in the west. During the ceremony the wrestlers are introduced to the crowd one by one in ascending rank order and form a circle around the ring facing outwards. Once the highest ranked wrestler is introduced they turn inwards and perform a brief ritual before filing off and returning to their changing rooms. ''Yokozuna'' have a separate, more elaborate dohyō-iri; see ''yokozuna''.
Once in the changing room the wrestlers change into their fighting ''mawashi'' and await their bouts. The wrestlers reenter the arena two bouts prior to their own and sit down at the side of the ring. There are no weight divisions in sumo, so an individual wrestler can sometimes face an opponent twice his own weight. When it is their turn they will be called into the ring by a ''yobidashi'' (announcer) and they will mount the ''dohyō''.^[10]
On mounting the ''dohyō'' the wrestler performs a number of rituals derived from Shinto practice. Facing the audience, he claps his hands and then performs the leg-stomping ''shiko'' exercise to drive evil spirits from the ''dohyō'' as the ''gyōji'', or referee, who will coordinate the bout announces the wrestlers' names once more. Stepping out of the ring into their corners, each wrestler is given a ladleful of water, the ''chikara-mizu'' ("power water"), with which he rinses out his mouth; and a paper tissue, the ''chikara-gami'' ("power paper"), to dry his lips. Then both step back into the ring, squat facing each other, clap their hands, then spread them wide to show they have no weapons. Returning to their corners, they each pick up a handful of salt which they toss onto the ring to purify it.
Finally the wrestlers crouch down at the ''shikiri-sen'', or starting lines, each trying to stare the other down. When both reach unspoken agreement they are ready to begin, they spring from their crouch for the initial charge, the ''tachi-ai''. They do not necessarily charge on the first occasion but after staring return to their corners for more mental preparation. More salt is thrown whenever they step back into the ring. This can happen a number of times (about three, or even more in the case of the highest ranks) until on the last occasion the referee informs them they must start the bout. The total length of time for this preparation is around four minutes for the top division wrestlers, but in the lower divisions they are expected to start more or less immediately.

A professional sumo bout

At the ''tachi-ai'' both wrestlers must jump up from the crouch simultaneously at the start of the bout, and the referee can restart the bout if this does not occur. Once the bout is complete the referee must point his ''gunbai'' or war-fan towards the winning side. The wrestlers will return to their starting positions and bow to each other before retiring. A winning wrestler may receive additional prize money in envelopes from the referee if the matchup has been sponsored. The referee is obliged at the end of the bout, even in bouts too close to call, to immediately designate a preliminary winner. For all matches, there are five ''shimpan'' (judges) around the ring who can query the referee's decision. If this happens they will meet in the centre of the ring to hold a ''mono-ii'' (lit: a talk about things). After reaching a consensus they can uphold or reverse the referee's decision or order a rematch, known as a ''torinaoshi''.
In contrast to the time in bout preparation, bouts are typically very short, usually less than a minute, and often only a few seconds. Extremely rarely a bout can go on for many minutes (up to 4 minutes), in which case the referee may call a ''mizu-iri'' or water break. The wrestlers are carefully separated, have a brief break and then return to the exact position they left off in. It is the referee's responsibility to reposition the wrestlers. If after four more minutes they are still deadlocked they may have a second break, after which they start from the very beginning. Further deadlock with no end of the bout in sight can lead to a draw, which is an extremely rare result.
The last day of the tournament is called ''senshuraku'', which literally means ''the pleasure of a thousand autumns''. This colorful name for the culmination of the tournament echoes the words of the playwright Zeami to represent the excitement of the decisive bouts and the celebration of the victor. The Emperor's Cup is presented to the wrestler who wins the top division (''makuuchi'') championship. Numerous other (mostly sponsored) prizes are also awarded to him. These prizes are often rather elaborate, ornate gifts, such as giant cups, decorative plates, and statuettes. Others are obviously commercial, such as one trophy shaped like a giant Coca-Cola bottle.

Sumo wrestlers, at the Grand Tournament in Osaka, July 2006.

Promotion and relegation are determined by a wrestler's score over the 15 days. The term ''kachikoshi'' indicates a record having more wins than losses, as opposed to ''makekoshi'', which indicates more losses than wins. In the top division, ''kachikoshi'' means a score of 8–7 or better, while ''makekoshi'' means a score of 7–8 or worse. A wrestler who achieves ''kachikoshi'' will almost always be promoted further up the ladder, the level of promotion being higher for better scores. Similarly, ''makekoshi'' almost always results in relegation to a lower rank. In the ''sanyaku'' ranks, simple ''kachikoshi'' are often not sufficient to be promoted. Wrestlers in this highly competitive subgroup of the highest division may require nine, ten, or even eleven out of fifteen possible wins to gain in rank. There are special rules for ''ozeki'' and ''yokozuna'' promotions (see above). A ''yokozuna'' can never be relegated, but an ''ozeki'' is demoted if he has two ''makekoshi'' tournaments in a row. If an ''ozeki'' loses his rank due to two consecutive ''makekoshi'' records, he can regain ''ozeki'' status in the next tournament by posting at least 10 wins. If he fails to win 10 matches in that tournament, he will have to satisfy the full original criteria (see above) in order to once again be promoted to ''ozeki''.
A top division wrestler who is not an ''ozeki'' or ''yokozuna'' and who finishes the tournament with ''kachikoshi'' is also eligible to be considered for one of the three ''sanshō'' prizes awarded for technique (''ginōshō''), fighting spirit (''kantōshō''), and for the defeating the most ''yokozuna'' and ''ozeki'' (''shukunshō'').
Please see the list of sumo tournament winners for an overview of yusho winners since 1958.

Life as a professional sumo wrestler

Young unranked sumo wrestlers at the Tomozuma Stable in Tokyo end their daily workout routine with a ritualized dance that emphasizes teamwork.

Sumo is a highly controlled way of life. The Sumo Association can prescribe the behavior of its wrestlers in a way that would be more commonly associated with life in a commune. For example, in the wake of a serious car accident involving a wrestler the Association banned wrestlers from driving their own cars. Breaking the rules can result in fines and/or suspension, not only for the offending wrestler, but also for his stablemaster.
Sumo wrestlers can be identified immediately when in public. On entering sumo, they are expected to grow their hair long to form a topknot, or ''chonmage'', similar to the samurai hairstyles of the Edo Period. Furthermore they are expected to wear the ''chonmage'' and traditional Japanese dress when in public.
The type and quality of the dress depends on the wrestler's rank. ''Rikishi'' in ''jonidan'' and below are allowed to wear only a thin cotton robe called a ''yukata'', even in winter. Furthermore they must wear a form of wooden sandals called ''geta'' when outside. These make a clip-clop sound as one walks in them. Wrestlers in the ''makushita'' and ''sandanme'' divisions can wear a form of traditional short overcoat over their yukata and are allowed to wear straw sandals, called ''zori''. The ''sekitori'' can wear silk robes of their own choice and the quality of the garb is significantly improved. They also are expected to wear a more elaborate form of topknot called an ''oichi-o'' (lit. big ginkgo leaf) on formal occasions.
Similar distinctions are made in stable life. The junior ''rikishi'' must get up earliest, around 5 a.m., for training whereas the ''sekitori'' may start around 7 a.m. When the ''sekitori'' are training the junior ''rikishi'' may have chores to do, such as assisting in cooking the lunch, cleaning and preparing the bath, or holding a ''sekitori's towel for him for when he needs it. The ranking hierarchy is preserved for the order of precedence in bathing after training, and in eating lunch.
''Rikishi'' are not normally allowed to eat breakfast and are expected to have a nap after a large lunch. The most common type of lunch served is the traditional "sumo meal" of ''chankonabe'' which consists of a simmering stew cooked at table which contains various fish, meat, and vegetables. It is usually eaten with rice and washed down with beer. This regimen of no breakfast followed by a large lunch helps ''rikishi'' put on weight so as to compete more effectively. A nap after lunch also assists in this process.
In the afternoon the junior ''rikishi'' will again usually have cleaning or other chores to do, while their ''sekitori'' counterparts may relax, or deal with work issues related to their fan clubs. Younger ''rikishi'' will also attend classes, although their education differs from the typical curriculum of their non-sumo peers. In the evening ''sekitori'' may go out with their sponsors while juniors stay at home in the stable, unless they are to accompany the stablemaster or a ''sekitori'' as his manservant (or ''tsukebito'') when he is out (this is normally a more privileged role given to a ''rikishi'' who may be nearing ''sekitori'' status himself). Becoming a ''tsukebito'' (or personal assistant) for a senior member of the stable is a typical chore. A ''sekitori'' will have many ''tsukebito'', with the most junior responsible for cleaning and other mundane tasks. Only the most senior ''tsukebito'' will accompany the ''sekitori'' when he goes out.
The ''sekitori'' also are given their own room in the stable or, if married, may live in their own apartments. In contrast, the junior ''rikishi'' sleep in communal dormitories. Thus the world of the sumo wrestler is split broadly between the junior ''rikishi'', who serve, and the ''sekitori'', who are served. Life is especially harsh for new recruits, to whom the worst jobs tend to be allocated, and there is a high dropout rate at this stage.
The negative effects of the sumo lifestyle become dangerously apparent later in life. Sumo wrestlers have a life expectancy of between 60 and 65, more than 10 years shorter than the average Japanese male. They often develop diabetes and high blood pressure, and are prone to heart attacks. The excessive intake of alcohol leads to liver problems and the stress on their joints causes arthritis. Recently, the standards of weight gain are becoming less strict, in an effort to improve the overall health of the wrestlers.^[11][12] The average height of sumo wrestlers is around 178 cm.

Salary and payment

As of March 2001, the monthly salary figures for ''sekitori'' (in Japanese Yen) were:^[13]

''Yokozuna'' Asashoryu performing the distinctive ''dohyō-iri'' of his rank

★ ''yokozuna'': 2,820,000 or $23,764 USD

★ ''ōzeki'': 2,350,000 or $19,805 USD

★ ''sanyaku'': 1,700,000 or $14,326 USD

★ ''maegashira'': 1,300,000 or $10,955 USD

★ ''jūryō'': 1,030,000 or $ 8,680 USD
Wrestlers in the lower divisions, who are considered to be trainees, do not receive a salary, but only a fairly small allowance.
In addition to the basic salary, ''sekitori'' wrestlers also receive additional bonus income, called ''mochikyukin'', six times a year (once every tournament, or ''basho'') based on the cumulative performance in their career to date. This bonus increases every time that the ''rikishi'' scores a ''kachikoshi'' (with larger ''kachikoshi'' giving larger raises.) Special increases in this bonus are also awarded for winning the top division championship (with an extra large increase for a "perfect" championship victory with no losses), and also for scoring a ''kinboshi'' (an upset of a ''yokozuna'' by a ''maegashira'').
''sanyaku'' wrestlers also receive a relatively small additional tournament allowance, depending on their rank, and ''yokozuna'' receive an additional allowance every second tournament, associated with the making of a new ''yokozuna'' hawser (rope worn around the waist during ceremonies).
There is also prize money for the winner of each divisional championship, which increases from 100,000 yen for a ''jonokuchi'' victory up to 10,000,000 yen for winning the top division. For wrestlers in the top division giving an exceptional performance in the eyes of a judging panel there are also three special prizes (the ''sansho'') which are worth 2,000,000 yen each.^[14]
Individual top division matches can also be sponsored by companies. In such cases the winner of the bout typically receives around 30,000 yen net per sponsor (out of the sponsors contribution of 60,000 yen -- much of the remainder goes in paying the wrestler's tax on the prize). These bout prizes are called ''kenshokin''. For bouts involving ''yokozuna'' and ''ozeki'' the number of sponsors of the matchup can be quite large, whereas for lower ranked matchups there may be no bout sponsors at all unless one of the wrestlers is particularly popular, or unless a company has a policy of sponsoring all his matchups. No bout prize money is awarded for a bout decided by a ''fusensho'' (forfeit victory).

Sumo and Shinto

Shinto has historically been used as a means for Japanese nationalism and ethnic identity, especially prior to the end of World War II. It has served to symbolize and provide a sense of belonging, to identify and unify the Japanese people culturally, and to serve as a barrier demarcating the Japanese from other peoples, providing them with a sense of cultural uniqueness. In its association with Shinto, sumo has also been seen as a bulwark of Japanese tradition.^[15]
Shinto ritual pervades every aspect of sumo. Before a tournament, two of the ''gyōji'' functioning as Shinto priests enact a ritual to consecrate the newly-constructed ''dohyō'', and various Shinto rituals are associated even with the practice ''dohyō'' at ''heya''. Both the ''dohyō-iri'', or ring-entering ceremonies performed by the top two divisions before the start of their wrestling day, and in the rituals performed by both combatants immediately before a bout, are derived from Shinto.^[16] It retains other Shinto associations as well. The ''yokozuna's ring-entering ceremony is regarded as a purification ritual in its own right, and is occasionally performed at Shinto shrines for this purpose. Every newly-promoted ''yokozuna'' performs his first ring-entering ceremony at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

Controversy

Due to the amount of money changing hands depending on rank, and prize money, there have been accusations of ''yaocho'' (corruption, bout-fixing) in sumo from time to time. A 2000 economic study on corruption^[17] focused on sumo as a closed system in which to study corruption. The authors of the study found that 70% of wrestlers with 7-7 records on the final day of the tournament won. The percentage was found to rise the more times the two wrestlers had met, and decrease when the wrestler was due to retire. ''Freakonomics'' also features an extensive discussion of this subject, showing essentially irrefutably that years and years of records indicate that an immense number of matches suggest cheating.
As stated on the ''Freakonomics'' page: "The authors looked at the final match, and considered the case of a 7-7 wrestler (i.e. a wrestler with seven wins and seven losses, and one fight to go) fighting against an 8-6 wrestler. Statistically, the 7-7 wrestler should have a slightly below even chance, since the 8-6 wrestler is slightly better. However, the 7-7 wrestler actually wins around 80% of the time. Levitt concludes that those who already have 8 wins collude with those who are 7-7 and let them win, since they have already secured their place in the league." In addition, the authors revealed a more damning statistic. According to their research, the next tournament in which the two wrestlers met, there was a significant advantage to the 8-6 wrestler over the 7-7, regardless of the performance of either wrestler. However, a possible counter-argument to the ''Freakonomics'' conclusion is that a 7-7 rikishi is highly motivated to win his last match to gain promotion, rather than demotion, while the 8-6 rikishi has already guaranteed his promotion, so is not as motivated.
Additional controversy in sumo is its perceived exclusion of women. Women are not allowed to enter or touch the sumo wrestling ring (''dohyō''), as this is traditionally seen as violating the purity of the ''dohyō''. The view of those who criticize this continuing policy is that it is discriminatory. The view of the Sumo Association is that it is a tradition passed down through the centuries. This issue came to a head in 2000 when Fusae Ota, the female prefectural governor of Osaka repeatedly challenged the Sumo Association's policy by requesting she fulfill the Osaka governor's traditional role of presenting the Governor's Prize to the winner of the Osaka tournament, which would require her to enter the ring. Her requests have thus far (2007) been rejected by the Sumo Federation and she has been obliged sent a male counterpart in her place.

Memorabilia

Tegata of the former ''makuuchi'' wrestler Terao.

As with many sports, there are a wide variety of souvenirs and memorabilia that fans may acquire. Fans purchasing box seats or front row seats usually purchase the tickets through so-called tea houses, which provide sumo related items in a package that includes the purchase of the ticket. This sort of memorabilia can also be purchased separately. Plates, and cups with sumo related themes are a common item. One of the more unusual items that can be purchased is the ''tegata'' (lit. hand shape) of the wrestlers of whom one is a fan - the sumo version of an autograph. ''Tegata'' consist of a hand print of the wrestler using black or red ink accompanied by his fighting name written in calligraphic style by the wrestler himself. Original ''tegata'' can be quite expensive, but printed copies of the most popular wrestlers can be obtained very inexpensively. Only wrestlers in the top two ''jyuryo'' and ''makuuchi'' divisions are permitted to make them. Another popular collectible is a copy of the ''banzuke'' for a tournament. A ''banzuke'' is a document that has been meticulously handwritten in calligraphic script and lists every wrestler who participates in a tournament in order of rank.

Sumo in contrast to other Eastern martial arts

Sumo, while considered a martial art, diverges from the typical Eastern style both at the surface and at its heart. Whereas most martial arts award promotions through time and practice, sumo ranks can be gained and lost every two months in the official tournaments. Conversely, in more common Japanese martial arts (such as karate), ranks are gained after passing a single test, and practitioners of karate are not normally demoted, even after repeated poor performances at tournaments. This divergence from other martial arts creates a high-pressure, high-intensity environment for sumo wrestlers. All the benefits that ''sekitori'' wrestlers receive can be taken from them if they fail to maintain a high level of achievement in each official tournament.
Furthermore, sumo does not provide any means of achievement besides the official tournaments. Rank is determined ''solely'' by winning records during an official tournament. On the other hand, in many other Eastern martial arts, competitors can display their skill by performing standard routines, called kata or forms, to receive recognition. Thus, sumo wrestlers are very specialized fighters who train to win their bouts using good technique, as this is their only means of gaining better privileges in their stables and higher salaries.

Amateur sumo

Sumo is also an amateur sport, with participants in college, high school and grade school in Japan. In addition to college and school tournaments, there are also open amateur tournaments. The sport at this level is stripped of most of the ceremony. The most successful amateur wrestlers in Japan (usually college champions) can be allowed to enter professional sumo at ''makushita'' (third division) rather than from the very bottom of the ladder. This rank is called ''makushita tsukedashi'', and is currently between ''makushita'' 15 and 16. Many of the current top division wrestlers entered professional sumo by this route. All entry by amateur athletes into the professional ranks is subject to them being young enough (23 or under) to satisfy the entry requirements.
There is also an International Sumo Federation, which encourages the sport's development worldwide, including holding international championships. A key aim of the federation is to have Sumo recognized as an Olympic sport. Accordingly, amateur tournaments are divided into weight classes (men: Lightweight up to 187 lb [85 kg], Middleweight up to 253 lb [115 kg], Heavyweight 253+ lb [115+ kg] and Open Weight [unrestricted entry]), and include competitions for female wrestlers (Lightweight up to 143 lb [65 kg], Middleweight up to 176 lb [80 kg], Heavyweight 176+ lb [80+ kg] and Open Weight).
Amateur Sumo clubs are gaining in popularity in the United States, with competitions regularly being held in major cities across the country. The sport has long been popular on the West Coast and in Hawai'i, where it has played a part in the festivals of the Japanese ethnic communities. Now, however, the sport has grown beyond the sphere of Japanese diaspora and athletes come from a variety of ethnic, cultural and sporting backgrounds. In the United States it is not uncommon at large street or university parties to have sumo rings set up for entertainment purposes. Generally the participants wear bulky padded suits and helmets fashioned in the shape of Japanese topknots. This is completely unrelated to the sport of amateur sumo, but is quite humorous nonetheless.
Amateur sumo is particularly strong in Europe. Many athletes come to the sport from a background in judo, freestyle wrestling, or other grappling sports such as Sambo. Some Eastern European athletes have been successful enough to be scouted into professional sumo in Japan, much like their Japanese amateur counterparts. The most proficient of these to date is the Bulgarian Kotooshu, who is the highest ranking foreign wrestler who was formerly an amateur sumo athlete.

See also

★ Glossary of sumo terms

★ List of active sumo wrestlers

★ List of yokozuna

★ Kimarite (winning techniques)

Footnotes and References

1. History and Overview of the Martial Arts
2. Rules of Sumo
3. The Big Book of Sumo, , Mina., Hall, Stone Bridge Press, 1997,
4. Sumo Beya Guide
5. Banzuke
6. The Big Book of Sumo, , Mina., Hall, Stone Bridge Press, 1997,
7. Foreigners in Sumo
8. Last of the Sumo - Japanese youth turn their backs on gruelling sport of emperors McCurry, Justin
9. An exception to this rule occurred when Hirohito, the former Emperor of Japan, died on Saturday, January 7, 1989. The tournament which was to start on the following day was postponed; starting on Monday, January 9 and finishing on Monday, January 24.
10. Detailed description of a sumo bout
11. Becoming a Sumo Wrestler
12. United Nations Statistics Division - Demographic and Social Statistics
13. Japan Omnibus - Sports - Sumo
14. Sumo Questions
15. Sumo: The Recent History of an Ethical Model for Japanese Society, , Ian, Reader, International Journal of the History of Sport, 1989
16. Sumo Ceremonies
17. UCLA Asia Institute: Winning Isn't Everything: Corruption in Sumo Wrestling

Books

★ The Joy of Sumo - A Fan's Notes, , David, Benjamin, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1991, ISBN 0-8048-1679-4

★ Sumo - A Fan's Guide, , Mark, Schilling, The Japan Times, Ltd., 1994, ISBN 4-7890-0725-1

★ Sumo - A Pocket Guide, , David, Shapiro, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1995, ISBN 0-8048-2014-7

External links

★ Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official Grand Sumo Home Page

★ The Sumo Forum

★ Banzuke.com

★ Sumo FAQ

★ Searchable Sumo Database

★ Szumo.hu

★ Sumo Fan Magazine

★ Sumo News and Analysis

★ Info-Sumo.net

★ MSN-Mainichi Daily News:Sports Sumo News