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Ancient & Mythological Origins

Sumo's origins trace back to Japanese mythology. The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki describe a bout between Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata to settle the transfer of the land. The legendary contest between Nomi no Sukune and Taima no Kehaya during Emperor Suinin's reign is considered the first historical sumo match.

Nara & Heian Period

Sumo became a formal imperial court ceremony called Sumai no Sechie, in which strong men from across the country competed before the Emperor. It became a fixed national event held annually.

Sengoku & Edo Period

Sumo flourished as a martial training method, and Oda Nobunaga was known for his love of the sport. During the Edo period, professional sumo developed in three major cities — Osaka, Kyoto, and Edo — with regular tournaments called basho.

Meiji Era to the Present

The original Kokugikan arena opened in 1909, establishing sumo as Japan's "national sport." Today the Japan Sumo Association organizes six tournaments per year (January, March, May, July, September, November), each lasting 15 days. Approximately 42 wrestlers compete in the top Makuuchi division, with around 700 active rikishi in total.

The Dohyo (Ring)

Matches take place on a circular clay platform called the dohyo, 4.55 meters in diameter. It is built up from clay bales and features two white "shikiri-sen" (starting lines) in the center. The ring sits on a raised platform about 34–60 cm high, covered by a decorative roof (yakata).

How to Win

A bout is decided when:

• A wrestler forces his opponent outside the ring
• A wrestler causes any part of his opponent's body other than the soles of the feet to touch the ground
• A wrestler's opponent commits a foul (kinjite)
• A wrestler's opponent withdraws due to injury

Prohibited Techniques (Kinjite)

The following actions are illegal:

• Striking the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth
• Slapping both ears simultaneously
• Choking or striking the throat
• Intentionally loosening the opponent's mawashi
• Bending back the fingers
• Pulling the hair

Preparation & Time Limit

Before each bout, wrestlers go through a ritual preparation called shikiri. The time limit for Makuuchi bouts is 4 minutes. Both wrestlers must place both fists on the starting lines simultaneously before charging. The referee (gyoji) enforces timing and rules during the match.

What is Banzuke?

The banzuke is a ranking sheet that lists all rikishi (wrestlers) in order of their standing. It is released before each tournament, and a wrestler's rank for the next tournament is determined by their performance. Rankings range from the highest Yokozuna to the lowest Jonokuchi.

Makuuchi (Top Division)

The highest division, consisting of approximately 42 wrestlers.

• Yokozuna ― Grand Champion. Once promoted, never demoted; expected to retire if performance drops.
• Ozeki ― Second highest. Demoted to Sekiwake after two consecutive losing records.
• Sekiwake ― Third highest; one of the "San'yaku" (top three ranks).
• Komusubi ― Fourth highest; one of the San'yaku ranks.
• Maegashira ― General Makuuchi wrestlers, ranked 1–15 on each side (East/West).

Juryo (Second Division)

The rank just below Makuuchi. Juryo is the first division in which wrestlers receive a monthly salary. Approximately 28 wrestlers compete, ranked 1–14 on each side.

Lower Divisions

Wrestlers below Juryo are trainees without a salary (rikishi-yōsein).

• Makushita ― Ranks 1–60 on each side (~120 wrestlers)
• Sandanme ― Ranks 1–100 on each side (~200 wrestlers)
• Jonidan ― Ranks 1–100 on each side (~200 wrestlers)
• Jonokuchi ― Lowest rank; the entry level for new wrestlers

Rank Changes

A wrestler's rank goes up or down each tournament depending on whether they achieve a winning (kachi-koshi) or losing (make-koshi) record. Only Yokozuna cannot be demoted — instead they face pressure to retire if results are consistently poor.

What is Kimarite?

Kimarite refers to the official name of the winning technique used to decide a bout. The Japan Sumo Association currently recognizes 82 official kimarite (revised in 2001). The gyoji (referee) announces the kimarite immediately after each match.

Pushing Techniques (Main Examples)

• Oshi-dashi ― Pushing the opponent out with both hands. The most common winning technique.
• Yori-kiri ― Grabbing the mawashi and forcing the opponent out of the ring.
• Tsuki-dashi ― Thrusting the opponent out of the ring.
• Tsuki-otoshi ― Thrusting the opponent sideways to the ground.

Throwing Techniques (Main Examples)

• Uwate-nage ― Overarm throw using the outside grip on the opponent's mawashi.
• Shitate-nage ― Underarm throw using the inside grip on the opponent's mawashi.
• Utchari ― A dramatic reversal throw at the edge of the ring.
• Kote-nage ― An arm throw with the opponent's arm clamped under the armpit.

Pulling & Slapping Techniques

• Hataki-komi ― Slapping down the opponent's head or shoulder.
• Hiki-otoshi ― Pulling the opponent's arm down to drop them.
• Okuri-dashi ― Getting behind the opponent and pushing them out.

Special & Rare Kimarite

• Kawazu-gake ― Hooking the leg around the opponent's and throwing them down.
• Keri-kaeshi ― Kicking back the opponent's leg to trip them.
• Hansoku ― Loss by foul (use of a prohibited technique).
• Fusen-sho ― Win by default when the opponent withdraws.