Sumo Guide

The gyoji officiates each bout on the dohyo, dressed in ornate feudal-era court robes (kariginu). They carry a war fan (gunbai) to signal the winner.

Rank is shown by cord color — the highest-ranking tate-gyoji wears purple lacing. As a symbol of accountability, gyoji traditionally carry a short blade (today, purely ceremonial). The two highest-ranked gyoji, Kimura Shonosuke and Shikimori Inosuke, officiate the top Makuuchi bouts.

Yobidashi announce each wrestler's ring name (shikona) before their bout in a distinctive melodic chant — one of the most recognizable sounds of a sumo tournament.

They also prepare and maintain the dohyo (sweeping, replenishing salt), carry sponsorship banners (kensho-bata) in a procession around the ring, and call out the winner's name after each match. Yobidashi have their own ranking system, with tate-yobidashi at the top.

Tokoyama are the specialized hairdressers who maintain wrestlers' traditional topknots (mage). Lower-division wrestlers wear a simple chonmage, while Juryo and above sport the elaborate oicho-mage — shaped like a ginkgo leaf using hair oil and pomade.

Tokoyama have their own ranking system, with tate-tokoyama at the top. They style a wrestler's hair the night before or early morning on match day.

Five former wrestlers (oyakata, stable masters) sit around the dohyo as judges. If a judge disagrees with the gyoji's decision, they call a mono-ii — a formal conference.

All five convene on the dohyo, often reviewing video footage, before announcing the final decision: either upholding the gyoji's call ("gunbai-dori") or overturning it ("sashichigae"). Video review has significantly improved accuracy in modern sumo.

"Power water" — a purifying rinse offered to a wrestler just before their bout. Traditionally handed by the winner of the previous match using a ladle and bucket, the wrestler symbolically rinses their mouth as an act of Shinto purification.

Wrestlers new to the top division often have the honor of offering water to senior wrestlers. The ladle is held with the front facing the giver — a point of etiquette observed carefully.

Before each bout, wrestlers hurl handfuls of salt into the ring as a Shinto purification ritual. Salt is believed to ward off evil spirits and cleanse the sacred space of the dohyo.

The amount varies dramatically by wrestler — some are famous for theatrical displays throwing large quantities. A single 15-day tournament can see around 45 kg of salt used.

The leg-stomping exercise where a wrestler raises one leg high and stamps it powerfully on the ground. Rooted in Shinto belief, shiko is said to drive away evil spirits beneath the earth.

It is also sumo's most fundamental training exercise, building powerful legs, hips, and core. A Yokozuna's shiko during the ring-entering ceremony brings a hush of reverence to the entire arena. New wrestlers may stomp hundreds of shiko each day as foundational training.

The grand ring-entering ceremony performed by Makuuchi wrestlers and Yokozuna before each day's bouts. Makuuchi wrestlers enter together in a circular procession wearing their decorative aprons (keshomawashi).

The Yokozuna then performs a separate, solemn ceremony flanked by an attendant (tsuyuharai) and a sword bearer (tachimochi). Two recognized styles exist — Unryu and Shiranui — each with distinctive arm movements. The ceremony concludes with shiko stomping.

The pre-bout ritual in which wrestlers crouch in the sonkyo position and place their fists on the starting lines (shikiri-sen).

This is repeated within a time limit — 4 minutes for Makuuchi, 3 for Juryo — creating a tense psychological battle. If one wrestler rises before the other is ready, a "matta" (false start) is called. This drawn-out ritual of building tension is a defining experience of watching live sumo.

The highest rank in sumo, held for life once earned. The usual benchmark is two consecutive tournament victories before the Yokozuna Deliberation Council recommends promotion.

Unlike lower ranks, Yokozuna cannot be demoted — a wrestler who falls below expected standards is expected to retire out of respect for the title. The Yokozuna's ring-entering ceremony features a sacred rope (shimenawa) tied around the waist.

Ozeki

2nd highest. A wrestler typically needs 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments to earn promotion. Two consecutive poor tournaments (under 10 wins) may result in demotion.

Sekiwake

3rd highest. A prestigious rank where wrestlers regularly face Yokozuna and Ozeki. Consistent performance here is the path to Ozeki promotion.

Komusubi

4th highest. Competing from this rank means facing the best wrestlers every tournament. Sanyaku wrestlers appear late in each day's schedule, headlining the most prestigious bouts.

Makuuchi is the highest division in professional sumo, comprising approximately 42 wrestlers including Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sanyaku, and Maegashira.

Each wrestler competes in 15 bouts per tournament, matched by rank and record. A winning record (kachi-koshi) means 8+ wins and a ranking increase; a losing record (make-koshi) means 8+ losses and a ranking decrease. The bottom-ranked Makuuchi wrestler who loses 8+ may be demoted to Juryo.

Makuuchi wrestlers receive a full monthly salary from the Japan Sumo Association.

Juryo

The second official professional division. Wrestlers here receive a full monthly salary and are recognized as sekitori (professional wrestlers). Promotion to Makuuchi is the goal.

Makushita

Below Juryo, wrestlers receive only a per-tournament allowance, not a full salary. Top performance here earns a shot at Juryo promotion.

Sandanme · Jonidan · Jonokuchi

The developmental ranks. Wrestlers live under a strict daily regimen of cleaning, cooking, training, and learning sumo traditions. The path from Jonokuchi to Makuuchi takes years of dedication.

Held: 2nd Sunday of January, 15 days
Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo (capacity ~10,000)

The year's first tournament, setting the tone for each wrestler's annual ranking. The festive New Year atmosphere makes it especially popular with tourists. The official banzuke (ranking sheet) is announced in late November.

Held: 2nd Sunday of March, 15 days
Venue: Edion Arena Osaka

Also known as the Osaka Basho. Osaka has deep sumo roots — it was home to an independent sumo organization (Osaka-zumo) before merging with the Tokyo organization in 1925. The cherry blossom season creates a festive atmosphere. Osaka fans are known for their passionate support.

Held: 2nd Sunday of May, 15 days
Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo

The summer tournament begins just after Japan's Golden Week holiday season. A second Tokyo tournament on the main calendar, it draws loyal local fans. The warmer weather is said to bring out more aggressive, energetic wrestling.

Held: 2nd Sunday of July, 15 days
Venue: Dolphins Arena (Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium), Nagoya

Considered the toughest tournament for wrestlers due to Japan's intense midsummer heat and humidity. Nagoya is famous for its passionate sumo fans and consistently packed arenas. The heat demands exceptional physical conditioning from every wrestler.

Held: 2nd Sunday of September, 15 days
Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo

With summer heat fading, September is considered ideal wrestling weather. As the second half of the annual calendar heats up, wrestlers competing for year-end rankings give extra effort, often producing some of the year's most exciting bouts.

Held: 2nd Sunday of November, 15 days
Venue: Fukuoka Convention Center

The final tournament of the year, with major implications for the following January's rankings. Kyushu has strong sumo traditions and enthusiastic fans. The Fukuoka Convention Center is one of the more intimate venues, offering excellent viewing from most seats.

Techniques won by pushing the opponent's body out or down. Approximately 30–40% of Makuuchi bouts are decided by pushing techniques.

• Oshidashi — push out with both hands (most frequent technique overall)
• Tsukidashi — thrust out with strong thrusts
• Oshitaoshi — push down inside the ring
• Tsukitaoshi — thrust down

Speed and power are critical; larger wrestlers with long arms often excel at oshi-waza.

Techniques won by gripping the opponent's belt (mawashi) and forcing them out or down. These clinch techniques are the most iconic image of sumo wrestling.

• Yorikiri — force out while gripping the belt (the quintessential sumo technique)
• Uwatenage — outer-arm belt throw
• Shitatenage — inner-arm belt throw
• Yoritaoshi — force down while clinching

Grip position (inside vs. outside) is critical — wrestlers constantly fight for the advantageous hold.

Techniques involving lifting or rotating the opponent to throw them down. Spectacular throws in big-men matchups are crowd favorites.

• Uwatedashinage — pulling the outer grip to throw forward
• Sukuinage — scooping throw under the arm
• Sotogake — outer leg trip combined with a throw
• Uchimuso — inner arm-entanglement throw

Timing is everything — throws succeed when executed exactly as the opponent loses balance.

Techniques using the leg to unbalance and trip the opponent. Smaller, quicker wrestlers often favor these technical approaches.

• Uchigake — inner leg trip
• Sotogake — outer leg trip
• Ashitori — grabbing and lifting the opponent's leg
• Kirikaeshi — leg entanglement reversal

Kake-waza are technically admired and visually impressive — fans love the sudden, unexpected application.

Among sumo's 82 official techniques, some are so rare that seeing them live is a once-in-a-career experience. When they occur, the arena erupts.

• Kawazugake — hooking one leg around the opponent's thigh and falling back — a legendary technique that features in kabuki theater.
• Kannuki — pinning both the opponent's arms from behind.
• Izori — leaning forward to grab the opponent's thigh and throw backward.
• Chongake — hooking the ankle forward to trip.

Sumo's origins reach into Japanese mythology. The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki record a strength contest between the gods Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata — considered sumo's mythological origin.

The oldest historical record is from 23 CE: a bout between Nomi no Sukune and Taimano Kehaya. Nomi no Sukune, the winner, is still venerated as the patron deity of sumo. During the Nara period (710–794 CE), sumo was formalized as a court ritual (Sumai no Sechie), performed to pray for bountiful harvests.

Professional sumo (Ozumo) truly flourished during the Edo period. Wrestling organizations in Edo (Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto each ran their own programs, with Edo becoming the dominant center.

Many modern institutions were established in this era: the raised clay dohyo (mid-1700s), the official banzuke ranking sheet, the gyoji's formal costume, and the time-limit system. Ukiyo-e artists like Utagawa Kuniyoshi depicted famous wrestlers in woodblock prints now considered art masterpieces. Legendary Yokozuna like Tanigawa and Onogawa defined this golden age.

In the Meiji era, sumo was formally recognized as Japan's "national sport" (kokugigi). In 1909, the Ryogoku Kokugikan opened — the home of sumo for over a century.

In 1925, the Tokyo and Osaka sumo organizations merged to form the Japan Sumo Association (Nihon Sumo Kyokai). The number of annual tournaments grew from two to six, with the current six-tournament system established in 1958. Pre-war legends like Miyajima, Terukuni, and Haguroyama defined this era.

After the six-tournament system was established in 1958, NHK's television coverage brought sumo into every Japanese home, creating a nationwide boom.

From the 1990s onward, wrestlers from Mongolia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and beyond transformed the sport. International Yokozuna like Akebono (Hawaii), Musashimaru (Hawaii), Asashoryu (Mongolia), and Hakuho (Mongolia) dominated an era of unprecedented excellence. Today, sumo's international fanbase continues to grow through online streaming and social media.