The first sumo matches were a form of ritual dedicated to the gods, with prayers for a bountiful harvest. They were performed together with sacred dancing and dramas within the precinct walls of shrines. Under the peaceful reign of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which began in 1603, sumo transformed into entertainment for the rapidly expanding plebian class and became the national sport of Japan.
The sumo ring is called the dohyo, and takes its name from the buried straw rice bags which mark its circumference. The raised dohyo area is 18 feet square, with the dohyo itself a bit over 15 feet in diameter. The hard clay surface is 2 feet high, and is covered with a thin layer of sand. Over the dohyo, suspended by cables from the ceiling, is a roof resembling a Shinto shrine, with four giant tassels hanging from the corners (symbolizing the seasons of the year and the ritual importance of the sumo match).
A bout is won by forcing the opponent out of the inner ring or throwing him in the dohyo. The rikishi (or sumo wrestler) who touches the ground with any part of his body other than his feet, loses the match. If any part of his body touches down outside the dohyo, he loses the match. There are no weight limits or classes in sumo, so it is not uncommon for a rikishi to face an opponent who outweighs him by as much as 200 pounds.
We were lucky enough to see the last day of the spring sumo tournament in Osaka (there are only six tournaments per year, and only one in Osaka). I ran into a former rikishi (now a manager) outside the main hall, and thought I could take him... I was wrong.
Unfortunately we weren't able to see the final match since we had to leave, but we definitely saw some amazing wrestling.
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