Sumo talk

Unkotare · #1 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 08:04 PM

Some info to prepare the 'audience' for the next tournament in July.

Study up!

Sumo FAQ - History

Unkotare · #2 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 08:05 PM

from the above linked:

"History
This is from "Grand Sumo: The Living Sport and Tradition" by Lora Sharnoff. I've made some small changes to shorten the text, but nothing which alters the content. - D. Riley

Origins and ancient sumo
The earliest written mention of sumo is found in the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters), a book from the year 712, which is the oldest extant example of Japanese writing. The Kojiki relates a legend about how possession of the Japanese islands was determined by a sumo match. According to the book, about 2,500 years ago, the gods Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata grappled on the shores of Izumo along the Japan Sea coast in what is now Shimane-ken, until the latter finally lost. Thus control of the archipelago was ceded to the Japanese people led by Takemikazuchi, who is said to have established the imperial family from which the present emperor traces his ancestry.

Since the Japanese didn't keep any written records until the 8th century, it is impossible to know, aside from legend, exactly when sumo first developed in Japan. However, ancient wall paintings indicate that its origins are very old indeed. In prehistoric times, sumo appears to have been performed mainly as an agricultural ritual to pray for a good harvest.

It is also impossible to determine whether sumo is a completely indigenous sport or whether is was influenced by similar forms of grappling from other parts of Asia and Eurasia. Grappling seems to be a rather basic, instinctive sport played mostly by men.

Sumo in its early days tended to be violent with no holds barred--often a veritable fight to the finish. The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), from 720, records the first bout between lowly mortals as taking place in 23 BC. Emperor Suinin (r. 29BC - AD70) is said to have made a special request to Nomi no Sukune, a potter from Izumo, to fight Taima no Kehaya, a bully and braggart from what is now Nara-ken. The two grappled for quite a while until Sukune finally rendered some devastating kicks to Kehaya's stomach and solar plexus. Kehaya was mortally wounded, and Sukune, the victor, has been immortalized ever since as the 'father of sumo.'

Sumo in pre-modern Japan
There are several other legends about sumo matches held in the imperial presence before Japan adopted the Chinese writing system in the 7th century. The first historically authenticated bout took place in 642, when Empress Kogyoku (r. 642-45) assembled her palace guards to perform sumo to entertain envoys from the Paekche court of Korea. Later records mention sumo being performed at the functions of the imperial court, including at coronation ceremonies. The custom of 'tenran-zumo' (sumo in the imperial presence) is still carried out at present, albeit in different form.

During the reign of Emperor Shomu (r. 724-49), sumaibito (sumotori) were recruited from all over the country to perform in the Imperial Palace garden at a festivity called 'sechie' held each year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month (early August by today's calendars). At the same time cultured people would gather as well at the palace to display their skills at writing poetry. With the establishment of 'sechie-zumo,' sumo expanded from an agrarian ritual to a large-scale rite to pray for the nationwide peace and prosperity of Japanese society.

In the late 8th century, Emperor Kanmu (r. 781-806) made sechie-zumo an annual event in his court, and the custom continued through the Heian period (794-1185). During the reign of Emperor Saga (r. 809-23) the practice of sumo was encouraged as a martial art; rules were established and techniques refined.

After the establishment of the first shogunate in Kamakura from 1185 to 1392, sumo came to be practiced all the more as a martial art by the warrior class. Minamoto no Yoritomo (1148-99), the most famous shogun of the era, was a sumo fan who watched it along with demonstrations of other forms of military training at Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine (now a popular tourist site in Kamakura).

Oda Nobunaga (1534-82), a major feudal lord, was particularly fond of sumo. In February 1578, he assembled over 1,500 sumotori from across the country for a tournament held at his castle. Until then there had been no definite boundaries to the arena in which sumo was held; the space was delineated simply by the people standing around in a circle watching or waiting for their own turn to fight. Apparently because many bouts were to be held on the same day at Nobunaga's Azuchi Castle, circular boundaries were drawn on the ground for the first time to speed up the proceedings. These boundaries also had the effect of making sumo safer for its spectators.

The first documented evidence of a ring demarcated by rice straw bales placed on the ground in a circular pattern can be found in the Empo era (1673-81). In the early 18th century, the bales came to be half buried in the ground circling the ring, similar to the way they are at present.

From the Period of Warring States through the Edo period (1603-1867), several daimyo began offering their patronage to the strongest sumotori. Those employed by a daimyo not only received a generous stipend but were accorded samurai status as well. They were also presented ceremonial aprons embroidered with the feudal lord's name. Such patronage guaranteed a good living, so many promising rikishi vied with each other in the ring to catch a daimyo's eye. The ranking sheets listed the name of the fief they served rather than their actual places of birth, as is done today in sometimes noting the prefecture of family registry rather than birthplace.

The Modern Sumo Kyokai
The predecessor of modern professional sumo underwent an almost parallel development throughout the Edo period and was called 'kanjin-zumo,' implying that it was to be carried out to collect donations toward the construction or repair of shrines, temples, bridges and other public works. But some of the money, of course, was also used to pay the rikishi, many of whom at that time were ronin (masterless samurai). In due time the money collected came to be used primarily as wages for the sumotori.

During the Edo period a ranking system and ranking sheets were initiated. In 1761, the name of the sumo organization on the ranking sheets was changed from kanjin-zumo to 'kanjin-ozumo,' marking the first time the professional version of the sport was called 'Grand Sumo.'

The sumo association from Tokyo, with 88 toshiyori names, were added to the 17 from Osaka in 1927 to form the modern Sumo Kyokai. "

Unkotare · #3 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 08:07 PM

Sports News: Sumo (Basho news, rankings, schedules and more) | The Japan Times Online

"Hakuho officially became the 69th grand champion in sumo history on Wednesday after the Japan Sumo Association finalized the promotion of the Mongolian wrestler at its executive committee meeting. "

Unkotare · #4 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 08:09 PM

The official Sumo winning techniques (88 of them, I think)

Description of sumo techniques

"Abisetaoshi: frontal force-down; the same as yoritaoshi except that it occurs inside the ring.
Amiuchi: net-casting twist-down; grab the opponent's arms, spread-eagle his body, and then pull him down.
A****ori: two-handed leg tip-over; quickly getting his hands under the rival's leg, he then lifts up to get him off-balance and dump him.
Chongake: from a close but non-contact stance, tip the opposite side leg of the opponent by the ankle (e.g. right leg tips right ankle), making it aloft, then push opponent down.
Fusenhai: You don't show up for the match. The winner-by-default wins by Fusensho.
Gasshohineri: clasped-hands twist throw; while holding the opponent's head with both hands, the attacker twists him down.
Hansoku: (losing techniques) Violation of sumo rules: These result in automatic loss of the person who did it:
Strike with a fist. It is legal to strike with an open palm (HARITE).
Grab opponent's hair. Quite common, mostly accidental.
Strike weak points like the eye or the pit.
Strike both ears from both sides simultaneously.
Hold or put fingers in the vertical portion of the mawashi. You know why.
Grab opponent's throat.
Kick opponent's chest or stomach.
Press on one or two of opponent's fingers.
If one's mawashi falls off during a bout (yuck!), he automatically loses.
Harimanage: rear-belt throw.
Hatakikomi: winner slaps the opponent's shoulder, back, neck or arm to bring him down. Often seen right at the tachiai.
Hikiotoshi: pulling down the opponent's hand or hands to force him down. Can be used on the opponent's mawashi as well. Similar to tsukiotoshi.
Hikkake: arm-grabbing force-out; while grabbing an arm from the inside, a rikishi uses the other hand to grab the opponent's other hand or arm to to pull or twist him down.
Ippon-Zeoi: dodge an opponent's TSUKI. grab his stretched arm over the shoulder and hurl over. Also seen in Judo, except that you can't knee down in Sumo.
Isamiashi: (a losing technique) At the Dohyo rim, the offensive side accidentally steps outside. Also commonly used as an idiom meaning "going too far".
Izori: dodge opponent's rush by crouching down, rise while grabbing his leg with both arms and mount him on back, further lean back making him fall (first). Mainoumi (again!) once did this.
Kainahineri: two-handed arm twist-down; take opponent's upper arm with one arm, place palm of other arm from above and press down, making the opponent turn over.
Kakenage: combination arm-leg throw where the attacker locks one arm around the opponent while wrapping one leg around him also. Then he swings down the off-balance rikishi to the dirt.
Kakezori: leg-kick sacrifice throw.
Katasukashi: under-shoulder swing-down; the attacker gets his own arm under the other's, then twists his body to make the other stumble forward. Then with the other arm, slap the opponent on his shoulder to make him fall. If done quickly, the opponent will make a full flip. Looks a lot like hatakikomi.
Kawazugake: backward lift counter trip against tsuridashi, tsuriotoshi or sotogake; in self-defense, a rikishi will wrap a leg around the back of his opponent's leg. At the same time he puts the arm on the same side of his around his opponent's neck, forcing both to fall backwards, and the counter-attacker lands on top.
Kekaeshi: footsweep; a rikishi suddenly kicks out his opponent's ankle while pulling him down to the dirt.
Ketaguri: when opponent comes rushing forward, kick his ankle from inside-out and he will stumble on his own. Effective as a surprise attack at the beginning instant, especially against an OSHI-ZUMO.
Kimedashi: elbow-clamp force-out; to lock one's arms around the opponent's thrusting or gripping arms and then drive him out in style similar to yorikiri.
Kimetaoshi: elbow-clamp force-down; same as above but the loser is forced down.
Kirikaeshi: backward knee trip while in yotsu-zumo; the attacker gets the underside of his knee on the other's kneecap while holding his mawashi to twist him down.
Komatasukui: over-thigh scoop; using a dashinage from the left, then grabbing the opponent's right leg from the knee or above, keeping his balance while toppling the other.
Koshikudake: (a losing technique) Lose balance for some reason, with weight on the back side, and fall from the hip.
Koshinage: to throw after mounting opponent on one's waist. Not very effective.
Kotenage: arm-lock throw; the winner locks his arms around the other's and then swings him down.
Kubihineri: press one palm on opponent's neck, grab his elbow with the other arm and twistingly press down with the arm on his neck.
Kubinage: head-lock throw; almost exclusively a defensive technique. Curl an arm around opponent's neck and throw in a twisting motion. The other arm should "kill", i.e. grab opponent's facing arm. Also is a sumo-slang for having sex :-)
Makiotoshi: sideways twist-throw; the rikishi grabs the other's torso and wraps them around his back to twist him down. This usually becomes tsukiotoshi in the end.
Mitokorozeme: using an UCHIGAKE move, stretch the free arm under the knee of opponent's other leg to lift up and topple him over.
Nichonage: leg-sweep throw; also called a two-leaf throw. Take a ****ATE, tangle the same side leg around opponent's opposite-side leg (i.e. for a right ****ATE, tangle right leg to opponent's right leg), and using it as a pivot, throw him down.
Nimaigeri: kick opponent's ankle from the outside to make him topple.
Okuridashi: one rikishi gets turned around and the other pushes him out from behind.
Okuritaoshi: same as okuridashi but the winner pushes so hard that the other falls down.
Oomata: when the opponent advances the opposite leg, lift it up from the inside thigh and topple him down.
Oshidashi: frontal push-out, arms folded/bent
O****aoshi: frontal push-down, the loser falling out of the ring.
Sabaori: forward force-down; the attacker pulls on the other's mawashi from the outside while they are in each other's grip, then leaning forward to bring him to the dirt in a kneeling position. Note that sabaori as commonly known (which is more like pro-wrestling's bear hug, clenching fists behind the opponent's back) is illegal in Sumo.
Sakatottari: arm-bar throw counter; freeing the hand that was held by the opponent, the rikishi then twists down the other man.
****atedashinage: pulling under-arm throw. This by itself is often not decisive, but will disrupt opponent's stance.
****atehineri: twisting under-arm throw; the attacker grips inside or under his opponent's mawashi to twist him down.
****atenage: under-arm throw; similar to uwatenage, except the winner has a grip on the mawashi inside of the other's arm or under the mawashi.
Shumokuzori: crouch down and lift opponent up high before leaning back. Posture similar to pro-wrestling's airplane.
Sotogake: frontal leg trip; bringing an opponent toward the attacker from a gripping position, then tripping him from the front of the leg below the knees.
Sotokomata: similar to komatasukui, but the attacker wraps his arm under the other's thigh instead of from above.
Sotomuso: outer-thigh-grabbing twist-down; the attacker's arm is over his opponent's and then brushes the area behind his rival's right knee and twist him down to the right.
Soto-tasukizori: secure hold one of opponent's elbow, swing other arm to the same side and stretch to hold his leg from the inside, then lean back while lifting opponent. Very rare.
Sukuinage: throw an opponent without a Mawashi grip, initially shoving opponent's armpit in a slightly upward direction.
Susoharai: backward footsweep.
Susotori: if opponent's one leg steps forward right in one's front, grab that ankle from the outside to make him fall.
Tasukizori: mount opponent on shoulder grabbing his arm with one arm and his leg with the other. Lean back to fall.
Tottari: grab opponent's wrist with one hand, take hold of the elbow from below with the other, take a side-by-side position and twist whole body to make opponent topple. Another surprise attack method.
Tsukaminage: lift up opponent by the grip and drop down.
Tsukidashi: thrust out; similar to oshidashi except the right/left hands are used alternately to force out the other.
Tsukiotoshi: winner turns suddenly and forces down the opponent at an angle. Often a defensive tactic by a retreating rikishi.
Tsukitaoshi: tsukidashi with the loser being thrust off his feet in/out of the ring.
Tsumatori: take opponent by his side and advance to make him lose balance, then grab an ankle or toe and lift to make him fall to the front.
Tsuridashi: hold the opponent by the mawashi and lift out; the winner carries the loser out of the ring.
Tsuriotoshi: similar to tsuridashi, but the attacker cannot lift out his opponent, so he drops him inside the ring. Requires great strength and it's dangerous to lose by this kimarite.
Uchigake: inside leg trip; same as sotogake, but tripping from above the knee of the opponent.
Uchimuso: inner-thigh-grabbing twist-down; similar to sotomuso, but the move is to the left instead of the right.
Utchari: The ultimate reversal tactics. Pressed at the edge of the dohyo rim, lean back, support opponent's weight on the stomach, then twist to either side to let him go first. Often very spectacular, but can be hazardous as the winner leans far back and twists the other around to toss him out.
Uwatedashinage: Different from uwatenage in that the palm faces up, with the two often standing in a side-by-side position. The throw is more like a dragging motion towards the opposing side leg. This will cause a rotating motion of the opponent, so he often falls face up, while in an uwatenage, he falls face down.
Uwatehineri: twisting over-arm throw; similar to ****atehineri, but executed with an outside hold on the opponent's mawashi.
Uwatenage: winner gets his grip on the outside of his opponent's arm and on the mawashi to throw him down.
Waridashi: Take an uwate hold with one arm, press the other on opponent's upper arm, advance to make him lean back and out of the dohyo.
Watashikomi: thigh-grabbing push-down;the attacker grabs the back of his opponent's calf and pulls it forward, while pushing against his body and thrusting him out with the other hand.
Yaguranage: from an uwate hold, lift the same side knee between the opponent's thigh, and after an initial lifting grip, twist-throw down.
Yobimodoshi: backward push-down; the attacker draws his rival over to him and then uses that momentum to thrust the man down.
Yorikiri: frontal force-out; the attacker will be holding the mawashi of his opponent.
Yoritaoshi: similar style as yorikiri, but the victor lands on top of the loser, and this occurs outside of the ring.
Zubuneri: elbow-twist throw; while the attacker's head is on the opponent's chest or shoulder (making it a fulcrum), he grabs the other's elbow and twists down the other rikishi.

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Classification of the various kimarite
HANARE (or Tsuki-Oshi & Inashi): Techniques which rely on pushing.
Tsuki: Tsukidashi, Tsukitaoshi (the right/left hands are used alternately to force out the other)
Oshi: Oshidashi, O****aoshi, Okuridashi, Okuritaoshi (pushing the opponent out with two hands)
Hataki & Otoshi: Hatakikomi, Tsukiotoshi, Hikiotoshi, Sokubiotoshi (slap down and force down)
Keri & Kake: Kekaeshi, Ketaguri, Hikkake, Chongake (force down using the foot as a fulcrum)
Other: Koshikudake (loss of balance)
KUMI (or Yotsu): Techniques which rely on pulling.
Yori: Yorikiri, Yoritaoshi, Kimedashi, Kimetaoshi, Abisetaoshi, Waridashi, Sabaori (pulling the opponent with a grip on the mawashi or elsewhere)
Tsuri: Tsuridashi, Tsuriotoshi (lift out)
Nage: Uwatenage, Uwatedashinage, ****atenage, ****atedashinage, Kotenage, Sukuinage, Katasukashi, Nichonage, Kubinage, Kakenage, Koshinage, Yobimodoshi, Harimanage, Ipponzeoi, Yaguranage, Yaguraotoshi, Tsukaminage (throws as in judo)
Kake: Sotogake, Uchigake, Kawazugake, Kirikaeshi, Susoharai, Nimaigeri, Oomata, Komata, Soto-Komata (trips)
Hineri: Uwatehineri, ****atehineri, Kainahineri, Gasshohineri (Kubihineri),Zubuneri (twisting the opponent down)
Uchi & Otoshi: Amiuchi, Utchari, Makiotoshi (twist-throws)
Muso & Tori: Uchimuso, Sotomuso, Komatasukui, Watashikomi, Tottari, Sakatottari, A****ori, Tsumatori (throws with contact in two places)
Sori: Izori, Tasukizori, Soto-Tazukizori, Kakezori, Shumokuzori (lifting techniques causing opponent to lose balance)
Combination: Mitokorozeme (lifting and tripping)
Other: Isamiashi (stepping outside dohyo)
OTHER
Fusensho,Hansoku (defaulting and infractions)"

Unkotare · #5 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 08:13 PM

"There are six divisions (see The Basho for details of the ranking system) - four junior divisions who fight on only 7 of the 15 days of the basho and two upper divisions, whose rikishi earn the name sekitori, receive a salary from the Sumo Association and who fight on each of the 15 days. Rikishi move up - or down - through the ranks based only on their basho performance. In this sense, seniority is no guarantee of high rank. In each of the junior divisions and in the sekitori ranks the primary aim is the yusho or championship. The yusho race usually boils down to the yokozuna, sanyaku (three ranks of champions) and the odd dark horse. If that is out of their grasp, the aim is to have at least a kachikoshi or majority of wins to ensure promotion for the next basho. A makekoshi losing record will ensure demotion, possibly to a lower division on the banzuke, a list of all the rikishi and their ranking for the basho. The only rikishi who cannot be demoted are the yokozuna. However, if they can't keep up the high standards of their rank, they are expected to retire.

Sekitori wear a colored silk mawashi (belt) in basho, whereas a beige mawashi is used in training or by junior rikishi. It is wrapped around the waist and groin and knotted at the back. There is also a sagari or silk string apron tucked into the front of the mawashi. The sekitori wear colorful kesho-mawashi during dohyo-iri (ring-entering) ceremonies. Also, only sekitori can have their long hair oiled and tied in an oichomage.

The salaries that sekitori receive from the Sumo Association obviously increase with rank. The monthly salary+allowance figures below are the latest I could find (March 2001):
Yokozuna: 2,820,000; Ozeki: 2,350,000; Sanyaku: 1,700,000; Maegashira: 1,300,000; Juryo: 1,030,000

A yusho brings with it prize money varying from 100,000 yen at the lower ranks to 10 million yen for a makuuchi championship. There are also prizes awarded for such things as technique and fighting spirit at the end of a basho. Sekitori also receive half of the prize money offered by sponsors of certain bouts (60,000 yen per sponsor) if they win. They also usually have a support group of fans, private and corporate, who are very generous with gifts such as their expensive silk kesho-mawashi. Also, the heya provide food and accomodation for the many single rikishi who live there."

Unkotare · #6 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 08:15 PM

Sumo FAQ Glossary

Akeni
Red and green bamboo trunks used to carry Juryo and Makuuchi level wrestlers special effects around.

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Aki (basho)
Fall (tournament).

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Banzuke
An ordered list of all the active wrestlers written in Chinese characters in calligraphy; a ranking sheet. Usually, the banzuke is released 2 weeks before the start of a tournament. (Technically, it's released 13 days before the tourney.)

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Basho
A sumo tournament. In a sanctioned competition, consists of seven or fifteen bouts held over a two week period.

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Bintsuke
Chamomile oil used to slick back the wrestlers' hair into a topknot style.

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Chikara-gami
"Power paper" given to wrestlers after they sip chikara-mizu. They usually use it to mask their mouths while they spit out the chikara mizu.

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Chikara-mizu
"Power water" sipped and spat out by wrestlers before a match. They are given the ladle by the last winner on their side (east or west) to win as a transfer of power and luck.

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Chon-mage
Sumo hairstyle with topknot and hair slicked with oil.

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Danpatsu-shiki
Retirement ceremony where the top knot is snipped by friends and comrades and eventually shorn off (usually by the oyakata).

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Dohyo
A raised clay platform with a ring formed by sunken straw bales in the center where sumo bouts are carried out.

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Dohyo-iri
The entrance ceremony done before the Juryo and Makuuchi division begin their bouts. Each wrestler enters and joins a circle around the dohyo.

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Ebanzuke
An illustrated, unofficial banzuke.

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Gino-sho
Technique award given to a wrestler below Ozeki rank.

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Gunbai
The "war paddle" carried by the referee inside the ring.

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Gyoji
A referee who stands in the ring encouraging wrestlers and officiating the bout. He calls the winner and reties mawashi if they begin to unravel.

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Hana-michi
The aisles which lead from the dressing area to the dohyo.

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Hana-zumo
Sumo performed for laughs.

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Haru (basho)
Spring (tournament)

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Heya
A stable; a building used to house and train rikishi. This includes sleeping accommodations, cooking facilities and training dohyo.

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Higashi
east (the more prestigious division of the banzuke)

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Hon-basho
Any of six official basho held in each odd numbered month by the Sumo Kyokai. Only these contests count in the official scores used to rank the rikishi.

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Ho****ori-hyo
A chart used to keep track of a wrestler's record. Usually, the chart is provided blank for fans to fill in as a tournament progresses.

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Ichimon
A group of stables that are related. They tend to practice together. In addition, when a wrestler from a stable with only one upper division wrestler wins a title, he rides in the winner's car with a high-ranking member of his Ichimon.

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Intai-zumo
Retirement from sumo.

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Jonidan
The second lowest level of competitive professional sumo.

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Jonokuchi
The lowest level of competitive professional sumo.

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Jungyo
The exhibition bashos that are held across the nation in between the regular basho schedule. These help in recruiting new rikishi to the sport and also give other people a chance to see the rikishi up close. The most extensive Jungyo is in July-August, covering the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions. Jungyo performances do not affect rank.

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Jun-yusho
Runner-up for the tournament title.

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Juryo
The first of the two professional divisions of Sumo. Thirty men vie for entrance into the top, Makunouchi division.

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Kachi-koshi
In a tournament, attaining the number of wins that assures a better than even percentage. Out of 15 bouts, for example, a rikishi is said to be kachi-koshi at that point where he tallies 8 wins.

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Kadoban
Only applies to Ozeki; An Ozeki is said to be kadoban when he lost 8 or more in the previous tournament, and if he does so again, he will be demoted.

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Kanto-sho
Fighting spirit award given to a wrestler below Ozeki rank.

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Kensho-kin
Money given to wrestlers in envelopes after they win bouts. Each sponsor pays 60,000 yen to have a banner paraded around the ring with the company name on it. The wrestler is given 25,000 yen in cash after the bout. 30,000 is held by the Sumo Association to pay taxes and 5,000 is used to pay for making the banner.

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Kesho-mawashi
A ceremonial apron worn by wrestlers during the their entrance ceremony.

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Kimarite
The names given to each of the seventy winning techniques and two inadvertent methods that describe the result of a Sumo bout.

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Kin-boshi
Literally, "gold star." This is a salary incentive a Maegashira ranked sekitori receives for defeating a Yokozuna.

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Koen-kai
A support group/fan club. This differs from a true fan club in that they are expected to pay the wrestler they sponsor handsome sums of cash for associating with them. Koen-kai have parties and provide Kesho-mawashi for the men they support among other things.

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Kokugikan
The Arena of the National Sport, in the Ryogoku neighborhood in southeastern Tokyo. This is the rather magnificent facility where Hon-basho, retirement ceremonies, World Amateur Championships and other events are held.

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Komusubi
The rank below Sekiwake but above the Maegashira. There are typically two or three rikishi holding this rank. Most rikishi do poorly when promoted to komusubi for the first time and are demoted.

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Kuroboshi
A "black star" indicating a loss.

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Kyokai
An official association or administration. For Sumo, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai administers the sport under the Ministry of Education.

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Maegashira
The lower ranks of the Makunouchi division, numbered from one (highest) to 15 or 16. There is an east and a west position at each numbered level. The number of Maegashira ranks is adjusted so that there are a total of forty Makunouchi rikishi.

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Make-koshi
The opposite of kachi-koshi. In a 7 bout tournament, having 4 losses guarantees make-koshi.

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Makunouchi
Also called Makuuchi, this is the top division of Ozumo. It is comprised of the ranks of Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi and Maegashira.

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Massuseki
4 person "box" seats on the lower level of the stadiums that sumo is performed in.

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Mawashi
The thick belt that is wrapped around a rikishi for Sumo. It is wound in such a manner that protects the genitals as well as offering a way for the combatants to grapple. Juryo level and higher wear silk of various colors. Lower levels wear black cotton.

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Monoii
A meeting between the ringside judges and the referee to discuss whether or not the referee chose the correct winner in a close match or whether a rematch is warranted.

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Morozashi
An inside belt grip where both a wrestler's hands and arms are positioned under his opponent's arms.

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Nakabi
The middle day of a basho.

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Natsu (basho)
Summer (tournament).

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Nishi
west (the less prestigious division of the banzuke)

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Nodo-wa
Thrusts to the throat.

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Oicho-mage
The kinko leaf-style top-knot worn by wrestlers in Juryo or higher. It looks like a little fan at the end of the top-knot.

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Oyakata
Stablemaster or coach. The man who trains and takes care of all wrestlers living in his stable.

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Ozeki
The champion rank of Sumo. Whereas other ranks can be attained by consistently winning, this rank must be granted by the Sumo Kyokai.

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Rensho
Consecutive wins.

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Renzoku yusho
Winning consecutive yusho.

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Rijiicho
The head (chairman) of the (sumo) association.

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Rikishi
Literally, "strong man." This is an all-purpose term for men engaging in Sumo.

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Sansho
Any of three special prizes awarded to Makunouchi sekitori under the rank of Ozeki. These are for superior technique, superior performance and fighting spirit.

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Sekitori
A rikishi ranked in one of the top two divisions of Sumo, who is being paid a salary.

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Sekiwake
The junior champion rank of Sumo. Usually two to four rikishi hold this rank.

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Senshuraku
The final (15th) day of the tournament.

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Shiko
Stamping down with each leg; used as a warm-up before bouts and in practice.

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Shikona
A wrestler's "fighting name".

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Shiroboshi
A "white star" indicating a win.

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****aku-beya
The dressing area for rikishi in the performance arena.

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Shukun-sho
Outstanding performance award given to a wrestler below Ozeki rank.

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Sumobeya
See Heya. When referring to a specific heya, the suffix -beya may be used; instead of saying that Tosanoumi's heya is Isenoumi, it is neater to talk of Tosanoumi, of Isenoumi-beya. It is less awkward to say, "Look, there's Izutsu-beya" than "That heya is Izutsu."

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Tachi-mochi
The sword-bearer in the Yokozuna dohyo-iri.

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Tawara
Straw bales sunk into the dohyo to mark the edges of the ring.

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Tenno-shihai
Emperor's cup (trophy given to tournament winners).

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Torikumi
The term for an individual sumo bout, or also used to refer to the list of bouts for an entire day.

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Torinaoshi
A rematch after a close bout.

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Toshiyori-kabu
A financial term, this is a license that must be purchased from the Sumo Kyokai in order to hold a position as Oyakata, or coach. There are only a limited number of these positions, each of which carries a name. Currently, these cost between two and four hundred million yen.

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Tozai
The system whereby wrestlers are divided into east and west divisions.

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Tsukebito
Assistants to wrestlers ranked in Juryo or higher.

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Tsuna
A braided belt of white linen worn by Yokozuna for ceremony.

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Tsuppari
Slapping attacks.

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Tsuyu-harai
The herald in the Yokozuna entrance ceremony literally, "the dew sweeper".

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Unryu
A style of Yokozuna entrance ceremony currently practiced by Akebono which involves slowly sliding feet that are wide-spread together. Formerly practiced by Chiyonofuji.

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Yao-cho
"Fixed" bouts where one wrestler allows the other to win.

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Yasumi
To "rest". When a wrestler chooses to step out of a tournament because of an illness, or injury, a "yasumi" mark is placed on the ho****ori-hyo for each day he's resting.

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Yobidashi
Assistants who sweep the dohyo (lower rankers) and call out the names of the rikishi in a sing-song fashion before each bout while holding an open fan.

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Yokozuna
The pinnacle of active Sumo, this is the rank of grand champion. Only 65 men have held this rank.

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Yumitori-shiki
The bow twirler who performs at the end of each day's bouts.

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Yusho
The tournament title. A rikishi wins a yusho by winning more matches than any other in his division, or if two or men are tied, by being triumphant in a playoff.

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Zabuton
A thin flat pillow (used in box seats).

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Zensho (yusho)
Winning a tournament title with 15 wins and no losses

Unkotare · #7 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 08:17 PM

There. Now the next time some genius makes a brilliant comment about "fat guys in diapers hugging," you can politely inform him or her that they are quite ignorant of the facts, and help them learn something.

**Mei Hua** · #8 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 09:40 PM

This is a great thread

Thanks for the info.

inufreak · #9 (**permalink**) June 2nd, 2007, 01:45 PM

So much information... so dizzy... I think I'm gonna blow

just kidding thanks for the information.