Later, in 720, a similar chronicle called the Nihon Shoki dated the first sumo match as in fact taking place in 23 BCE, when a legendary warrior in Japanese history, Nomi no Sukune, is believed to have fought against an opponent at the request of Emperor Suinin. Sukune is today regarded as the founder of sumo wrestling.

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A submission spectacle -

In ancient times, sumo served as a ritualistic performance to entertain Shinto deities. But it was seen as a brutal submission spectacle.

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Imperial patronage -

Later, the wrestling took place under Imperial patronage, between 710 and 1185. The sport had become more refined, with great emphasis placed on ceremony, as it still is today.

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Samurai combat training -

However, by the 12th century sumo was repurposed by the shoguns from a ceremonial struggle to a form of military combat training among samurai.

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The Middle Ages -

The Middle Ages saw sumo leave the seclusion of the court and become a popular event for the masses.

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Invention of the dohyō -

In 1578, 1,500 wrestlers gathered under the auspices of Oda Nobunaga, the "Great Unifier" of Japan, for a tournament that saw the invention of the dohyō, the circular space in which a sumo bout takes place.

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Sumo turns professional -

In the 1600s during the Edo period, the revival of public matches led to sumo turning professional. It eventually became the national sport of Japan.

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Sumo's first grand champion -

Legendary sumo wrestler Akashi Shiganosuke is formally recognized as the first yokozuna, or grand champion. Huge in stature and of immense strength, Shiganosuke was awarded the title in 1632.

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Sumo superstars -

The sport's first great popular superstars emerged in the late 18th century, among them Onogawa Kisaburō and Tanikaze Kajinosuke, both seen being given shimenawa belts representing their future status of yokozuna.

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National symbol of Japanese culture -

However, by the middle of the following century, sumo briefly lost its appeal after being branded by Western culture as tasteless and dated. It was only after Emperor Meiji organized a tournament in 1884 that the popularity of the sport was restored, when it became a national symbol of Japanese culture.

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The Japan Sumo Association -

In 1925, the Japan Sumo Association was founded. This is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling, which is a male-only sport. Women are not allowed to compete.

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Hon-basho -

In response to the huge following the sport was now commanding, the association increased the number of annual tournaments, called hon-basho, from two to four, and then to six in 1958—the current format.

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Rikishi -

Sumo wrestlers are known as rikishi in Japanese (the two characters of the kanji meaning "strength" and "warrior"). There are around 650 rikishi in the six divisions of sumo.

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Ceremony and ritual -

Sumo is unique in that no other sport involves more pre-match ceremony and ritual. The day before each bout, the dohyō is "cleansed." This tradition involves placing salt, cleansed rice, dried chestnut, dried kelp, dried cuttlefish, and nutmeg berry in a small hole made in the middle of the ring as offerings to the gods.

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Shiko -

After entering the dohyō the wrestlers perform a ritual called shiko—the characteristic leg raising and stomping that signifies the crushing of evil spirits.

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In the hands of the gods -

The rikishi will also raise their arms to show they carry no weapons before clapping their hands to attract the attention of the gods.

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Kiyome-no-shio -

The second part of the pre-bout ritual involves the rikishi cleansing themselves using water presented to them from the opponent they defeated last. Next they take a handful of cleansing salt (kiyome-no-shio) and throw it over the ring before entering.

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Gyōji -

Tournament referees are known as gyōji. Once they have signaled that a bout can begin, each rikishi crouches behind a white line. The wrestlers themselves decide when to start, but only after a few tense seconds sizing each other up.

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Winning ways -

Rikishi can win one of two ways: by forcing their opponent out of the ring, or by making them touch the ground with any part of their body except the soles of their feet.

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Decided in seconds -

One bout decides the victor—sumo is not a best-of competition. A contest usually lasts a few seconds. Rarely does it go beyond a minute.

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Size matters -

There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo. This means that wrestlers very often find themselves matched off against an opponent many times their size.

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The sumo diet -

Weight gain is therefore an essential part of sumo training. A favorite protein-packed dish in the diet of sumo wrestlers is chanko-nabe, or 'sumo stew.'

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The sumo stable -

Sumo wrestlers train and exercise in what's known as a stable. Interestingly, there is no formal teaching of holds or maneuvers; rather, the rikishi learn these themselves by watching their seniors and practicing endlessly.

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Practice makes perfect -

Daily practice sessions are called keiko, which commence around 5 am for the lowest-ranking rishiki. The higher-ranked a rikishi is, the later in the morning he may enter the practice ring.

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Sumo suppleness -

The average rikishi weighs 136 kg, about 300 lbs. And despite their immense bulk, sumo wrestlers are surprisingly agile and supple.

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Sumo hair style -

On entering sumo, rikishi are expected to grow their hair long to form a topknot, or chonmage, similar to the samurai hairstyles of the Edo period.

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Retirement ceremony -

At the end of his career, a sumo wrestler will have his hair cut, the topknot lopped off during a retirement ceremony.

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Baby-cry sumo -

Japanese parents believe sumo wrestlers can help make babies cry out a wish to grow up with good health. This is achieved during special baby-cry sumo events, a custom where rikishi hold up the infants as their tears flow.

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Grand champion -

Sumo today enjoys a global fanbase. The sport's current grand champion, or yokozuna, is Mongolian-born Terunofuji Haruo, seen here receiving the Emperor's Cup after winning his eighth championship title on the final day of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on May 28, 2023.

Sources: (Sumo Talk) (Japan Guide) (The Japan Times) (The Guardian)

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Origins of sumo wresting -

Sumo originated in Japan. This unique style of wrestling was first mentioned in the Kojiki, a manuscript of myths, legends, and semi-historical accounts published in 711.

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Sumo's early history -

Getty Images

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A submission spectacle -

In ancient times, sumo served as a ritualistic performance to entertain Shinto deities. But it was seen as a brutal submission spectacle.

Getty Images

3 / 31 Fotos

Imperial patronage -

Later, the wrestling took place under Imperial patronage, between 710 and 1185. The sport had become more refined, with great emphasis placed on ceremony, as it still is today.

Getty Images

4 / 31 Fotos

Samurai combat training -

However, by the 12th century sumo was repurposed by the shoguns from a ceremonial struggle to a form of military combat training among samurai.

Getty Images

5 / 31 Fotos

The Middle Ages -

The Middle Ages saw sumo leave the seclusion of the court and become a popular event for the masses.

Getty Images

6 / 31 Fotos

Invention of the dohyō -

Getty Images

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Sumo turns professional -

In the 1600s during the Edo period, the revival of public matches led to sumo turning professional. It eventually became the national sport of Japan.

Getty Images

8 / 31 Fotos

Sumo's first grand champion -

Legendary sumo wrestler Akashi Shiganosuke is formally recognized as the first yokozuna, or grand champion. Huge in stature and of immense strength, Shiganosuke was awarded the title in 1632.

Getty Images

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Sumo superstars -

Getty Images

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National symbol of Japanese culture -

Getty Images

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The Japan Sumo Association -

In 1925, the Japan Sumo Association was founded. This is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling, which is a male-only sport. Women are not allowed to compete.

Getty Images

12 / 31 Fotos

Hon-basho -

Getty Images

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Rikishi -

Sumo wrestlers are known as rikishi in Japanese (the two characters of the kanji meaning "strength" and "warrior"). There are around 650 rikishi in the six divisions of sumo.

Getty Images

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Ceremony and ritual -

Getty Images

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Shiko -

After entering the dohyō the wrestlers perform a ritual called shiko—the characteristic leg raising and stomping that signifies the crushing of evil spirits.

Getty Images

16 / 31 Fotos

In the hands of the gods -

The rikishi will also raise their arms to show they carry no weapons before clapping their hands to attract the attention of the gods.

Getty Images

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Kiyome-no-shio -

Getty Images

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Gyōji -

Getty Images

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Winning ways -

Rikishi can win one of two ways: by forcing their opponent out of the ring, or by making them touch the ground with any part of their body except the soles of their feet.

Getty Images

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Decided in seconds -

One bout decides the victor—sumo is not a best-of competition. A contest usually lasts a few seconds. Rarely does it go beyond a minute.

Getty Images

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Size matters -

There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo. This means that wrestlers very often find themselves matched off against an opponent many times their size.

Getty Images

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The sumo diet -

Weight gain is therefore an essential part of sumo training. A favorite protein-packed dish in the diet of sumo wrestlers is chanko-nabe, or 'sumo stew.'

Getty Images

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The sumo stable -

Getty Images

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Practice makes perfect -

Daily practice sessions are called keiko, which commence around 5 am for the lowest-ranking rishiki. The higher-ranked a rikishi is, the later in the morning he may enter the practice ring.

Getty Images

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Sumo suppleness -

The average rikishi weighs 136 kg, about 300 lbs. And despite their immense bulk, sumo wrestlers are surprisingly agile and supple.

Getty Images

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Sumo hair style -

On entering sumo, rikishi are expected to grow their hair long to form a topknot, or chonmage, similar to the samurai hairstyles of the Edo period.

Getty Images

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Retirement ceremony -

At the end of his career, a sumo wrestler will have his hair cut, the topknot lopped off during a retirement ceremony.

Getty Images

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Baby-cry sumo -

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Grand champion -

Sources: (Sumo Talk) (Japan Guide) (The Japan Times) (The Guardian)

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Getting to grips with sumo wrestling

Japan's national sport is 2,000 years old!

09/08/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Sports

Sumo is the national sport of Japan and enjoys a global fanbase. It's a style of wrestling where weight, size, and strength can decide a bout in seconds. Sumo is an ancient competition, its roots dating back 2,000 years. And no other sport involves more ceremony and ritual, which is why sumo is a national symbol of Japanese culture. But how did this unique form of grappling evolve, and what are the customs and traditions behind its foundation?

Click through and get to grips with sumo wrestling.