"bales on top of a platform made of clay mixed with sand. A new ""dohyō"" is built for each tournament by the bout callers (or ""yobidashi""). At the center are two white lines, the ""shikiri-sen"", behind which the wrestlers position themselves at the start of the bout. A roof resembling that of a Shinto shrine may be suspended over the ""dohyō"". Women are traditionally forbidden from entering or touching the ring. Professional sumo is organized by the Japan Sumo Association. The members of the association, called ""oyakata"", are all former wrestlers, and are the only people entitled to train new"
"Dohyō The dohyō (土俵) is the ring in which sumo wrestling bouts are held. A modern ""dohyō"" is a circle of rice-straw bales 4.55 meters in diameter, mounted on a square platform of clay 6.7m on a side, and 34 to 60 cm high. The surface is covered by sand. A new ""dohyō"" is built prior to each tournament by the ""yobidashi"" (ring attendants), who are responsible for this activity. The process of building the ""dohyō"" takes three days, and is done with traditional tools. The clay used is taken from the banks of the Arakawa River in Saitama Prefecture."
"into the air by the low ranking wrestlers as a way of sending off the kami and officially ending the tournament. Dohyō The dohyō (土俵) is the ring in which sumo wrestling bouts are held. A modern ""dohyō"" is a circle of rice-straw bales 4.55 meters in diameter, mounted on a square platform of clay 6.7m on a side, and 34 to 60 cm high. The surface is covered by sand. A new ""dohyō"" is built prior to each tournament by the ""yobidashi"" (ring attendants), who are responsible for this activity. The process of building the ""dohyō"" takes three days,"
"Mawashi In sumo, a is the belt (loincloth) that the ""rikishi"" (or sumo wrestler) wears during training or in competition. Upper ranked professional wrestlers wear a keshō-mawashi (see below) as part of the ring entry ceremony or ""dohyō-iri"". For top ranked professional ""rikishi"", it is made of silk and comes in a variety of colours. It is approximately in length when unwrapped, about two feet wide and weighs about . It is wrapped several times around the ""rikishi"" and fastened in the back by a large knot. A series of matching colour, stiffened silk fronds, called ""sagari"" are inserted into"
"when it gets wet. A regular sumo ring circle is made of rice-straw bales which deform with water. The illuminating decoration is managed by Honda’s disciples from a backroom. According to the backstory Honda was raised in a large bathhouse since a young age. Since Honda loves both sumo and hot baths he decided to combine both and made a sumo ring in the public bath. In his backstory in ""Street Fighter II"", E. Honda is mentioned to have begun his training as a child, singularly focused on becoming the greatest sumo wrestler of all time. He would eventually achieve"
"Wrestling ring A wrestling ring is the stage on which professional wrestlers wrestle. The configuration and construction of the traditional wrestling ring closely resembles that of a boxing ring. Like boxing rings, wrestling rings are also known by the poetic name of the ""squared circle"". Wrestling rings are generally composed of an elevated steel beam and wood plank stage topped by foam padding and a canvas cover. Most wrestling rings typically have more padding and shock-absorbing construction than boxing rings. Around the ring are three ""ring ropes"", one fewer than modern boxing rings, which has had four ropes since the"
"Wrestling ring A wrestling ring is the stage on which professional wrestlers wrestle. The configuration and construction of the traditional wrestling ring closely resembles that of a boxing ring. Like boxing rings, wrestling rings are also known by the poetic name of the ""squared circle"". Wrestling rings are generally composed of an elevated steel beam and wood plank stage topped by foam padding and a canvas cover. Most wrestling rings typically have more padding and shock-absorbing construction than boxing rings. Around the ring are three ""ring ropes"", one fewer than modern boxing rings, which has had four ropes since the"
"sumo. The name literally means ""horizontal rope"" and comes from the most visible symbol of their rank, the worn around the waist. The rope is similar to the ""shimenawa"" used to mark off sacred areas in Shinto, and like the ""shimenawa"" it serves to purify and mark off its content. The rope, which may weigh up to , is not used during the matches themselves, but is worn during the ""yokozuna"" ""dohyo-iri"" ring entrance ceremony. As the sport's biggest stars, ""yokozuna"" are in many ways the public face of sumo and the way they conduct themselves is highly scrutinized, as"
"a sumo ring has been set up. In this ring, a slender mouse and a much larger mouse are locked in a sumo match. The old man, fascinated, watches the match intently, and he suddenly realises that the slender mouse is one which lives in his house, while the fatter mouse lives in the house of a local rich man. He cheers the slender mouse on, but due to its weakness and small stature it is quickly flung out of the ring by the larger mouse, much to the man's dismay. Returning home after the match, the old man tearfully"
"great girth and body mass, which is often a winning factor in sumo. No weight divisions are used in professional sumo; a wrestler can sometimes face an opponent twice his own weight. However, with superior technique, smaller wrestlers can control and defeat much larger opponents. In some situations a review of the gyōji's decision may be needed. The judges outside the ring, who sit at eye level (the ""shimpan"") may convene a conference in the middle of the ring, called a ""mono-ii"". This is done if the judges decide that the decision over who won the bout needs to be"
"belts of today. During the Edo period, wrestlers would wear a fringed decorative apron called a ""keshō-mawashi"" during the match, whereas today these are worn only during pretournament rituals. Most of the rest of the current forms within the sport developed in the early Edo period. The winner of a sumo bout is generally either the first wrestler to force his opponent to step out of the ring, or the first wrestler to force his opponent to touch the ground with any part of his body other than the bottom of his feet. Also, a number of other less common"
"fan, which is solid, rather than folding, and usually made of wood. They were used by samurai officers to communicate commands to their troops and are still used in ""sumo"" matches. The sumo wrestling organization holds much respect for old traditional regulations and has strict rules. As such, it is a very rare case for a non-traditional contemporary artist like Hajime to design gunbai, one of the most important items for sumo matches. Hajime designed special gunbai for Kenjirou Kimura, a ""gyōji"" or sumo referee. The gunbai was named ""Hana-ha Utsukusisugite E ni dekinai"" (花美絵無), or ""Flowers are too beautiful"
"ring, called the dohyō is reminiscent of a Shinto shrine, the officiator is dressed in garb very similar to that of a Shinto priest, and the throwing of salt before a bout is believed to purify the ring. Prior to becoming a professional sport in the Tokugawa period, sumo was originally performed on the grounds of a shrine or temple. The present ""dohyō"", which is still considered sacred, is in honor of the days when matches were held on the sacred grounds of shrines and temples. The roof over the ""dohyō"" called ""yakata"" originally represented the sky for the purpose"
"the bout, which is then announced to the audience. On rare occasions the referee or judges may award the win to the wrestler who touched the ground first. This happens if both wrestlers touch the ground at nearly the same time and it is decided that the wrestler who touched the ground second had no chance of winning, his opponent's superior ""sumo"" having put him in an irrecoverable position. The losing wrestler is referred to as being ""shini-tai"" (""dead body"") in this case. Sumo matches take place in a ""dohyō"" (土俵): a ring, in diameter and in area, of rice-straw"
"Shikona A is a sumo wrestler's ring name. As with standard Japanese names, a ""shikona"" consists of the equivalent of a 'surname' and a 'given' name, and the full name is written surname first. However, the given name is rarely used outside formal or ceremonial occasions. Thus, the former ""yokozuna"" Asashōryū Akinori is usually referred to as simply ""Asashōryū"". When addressing a sumo wrestler of the ""makuuchi"" or ""jūryō"" divisions, the suffix ""-zeki"" (関) should be used instead of the usual Japanese ""-san"". The given name is often, but not always, the wrestler's actual name, though it generally resembles a"
"rikishi may be given many of these ""keshō-mawashi"". ""Yokozuna"" have matching sets of three ""keshō-mawashi"", with two being worn by his wrestler ""assistants"" (his ""tachimochi"" and ""tsuyuharai"") during his ring entrance ceremony. In the Edo period the ""keshō-mawashi"" also served as the wrestler's fighting ""mawashi"". However, as the aprons become more ornate, eventually the two functions were split apart. In this period wrestlers were normally sponsored by feudal ""daimyō"" or overlords, whose clan crest would therefore appear on the ""keshō-mawashi"". Mawashi In sumo, a is the belt (loincloth) that the ""rikishi"" (or sumo wrestler) wears during training or in competition."
"to change their luck for the better. Rikishi only wear the silk ""mawashi"" during competitive bouts either during ranking tournaments or touring displays. During training, a heavy cotton ""mawashi"" is worn. For senior ""rikishi"" in the top two divisions (the so-called ""sekitori""), this belt is coloured white, and it is worn with one end distinctively looped at the front. ""Sagari"" are not worn during training. ""Rikishi"" ranked in the lower divisions wear a black cotton ""mawashi"" both for training in and in competition. In competition cotton sagari are inserted into the belt, but these are not stiffened. Amateur sumo wrestlers"
"as in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. A portion of the mat extends outside the ring ropes, known as the ""ring apron"". The elevated sides of the ring are covered with a fabric skirt to prevent spectators from seeing underneath. Usually around ringside there are steel steps that wrestlers can use to enter and exit the ring. All parts of the ring are often used as part of various offensive and defensive moves. Wrestling rings vary in shape and size, with most measuring between 14 and 20 feet on each side, measured between the turnbuckles. WWE uses a 20-foot by 20-foot ring,"
"was supported by columns and the ""shimpan"" would sit in front of the columns. If one of the ""shimpan"" disagrees or is unsure about the decision then he raises his hand and the five of them climb into the ring, or ""dohyō"" to hold a ""mono-ii"". In a ""mono-ii"" (of the ""shimpan"" only) can in principle also be called by any of the four sumo wrestlers awaiting their bout around the ring, although it is an extremely rare occurrence. During the ""mono-ii"" the five ""shimpan"" give their views on what happened. The ""gyōji"" is usually able to listen in but"
"However, with growing urbanization clay from Ibaraki Prefecture has started to be used. The ""dohyō"" is removed after each tournament, and in the case of Nagoya, pieces are taken home by the fans as souvenirs. The ""yobidashi"" also build the ""dohyō"" for training stables and sumo touring events. The diameter of the ring is 15 ""shaku"" (4.55 meters), which increased from 13 ""shaku"" (3.94 meters) in 1931. The rice-straw bales (""tawara"" (俵)) which form the ring are one third standard size and are partially buried in the clay of the ""dohyō"". Four of the ""tawara"" are placed slightly outside the"
"is shown on satellite coverage. The name ""makuuchi"" literally means ""inside the curtain"", a reference to the early period of professional sumo, when the top ranked wrestlers were able to sit in a curtained off area prior to appearing for their bouts. ""Makuuchi"" can also refer to the top two divisions ""makuuchi"" and ""jūryō"" as a whole, as the wrestlers in these divisions are salaried and considered fully salaried professionals as opposed to ""in training"". ""Jūryō"" (十両), is the second highest division, and is fixed at 28 wrestlers. The name literally means ""ten ryō""', which was at one time the"
"rules can be used to determine the winner. For example, a wrestler using an illegal technique (""kinjite"") automatically loses, as does one whose ""mawashi"" (belt) comes completely undone. A wrestler failing to show up for his bout (even if due to prior injury) also automatically loses (""fusenpai""). Bouts consist solely of a single round and often last only a few seconds, as usually one wrestler is quickly ousted from the circle or thrown to the ground. However, they can occasionally last for several minutes. Each match is preceded by an elaborate ceremonial ritual. Traditionally, sumo wrestlers are renowned for their"
"exhibitions. None of these displays is taken into account in determining a wrestler's future rank. Rank is determined only by performance in grand sumo tournaments (or ""honbasho""). The six divisions in sumo are: ""makuuchi"" (maximum 42 wrestlers), ""jūryō"" (fixed at 28 wrestlers), ""makushita"" (fixed at 120 wrestlers), ""sandanme"" (fixed at 200 wrestlers), ""jonidan"" (about 200 wrestlers), and ""jonokuchi"" (around 50 wrestlers). Wrestlers enter sumo in the lowest ""jonokuchi"" division and, ability permitting, work their way up to the top division. A broad demarcation in the sumo world can be seen between the wrestlers in the top two divisions known as"
"Rikishi A rikishi (力士) sumotori or, more colloquially, sumosan, is a professional sumo wrestler. ""Rikishi"" are expected to live according to centuries-old rules and, although there are some exceptions, most come from Japan, where sumo is practiced exclusively. Participation in official tournaments is the only means of marking achievement in sumo and the rank of an individual ""rikishi"" is based solely on official wins. In popular use, the term ""rikishi"" can mean any sumo wrestler and an alternative term to ""sumotori"" (sumo practitioner) or the more colloquial ""sumosan"". The two kanji characters that make up the word ""rikishi"" are ""strength/power"""
"sometime during the Edo period. The Yoshida clan was a prominent ""gyōji"" family. The ceremony is done to purify and concentrate the ""dohyō"", while also inviting the kami (Shinto deities) down to watch sumo. The ceremony is lead by one of the ""tategyōji"" (head referee) along with two other ""gyōji"". The ""gyōji"" take the place of Shinto priests. The ""tategyoji"" will pray for the safety and well-being of the wrestlers. In the middle of the ""dohyō"" a square hole is cut in where the ""tategyoji"" will then place inside: torreya nuts, dried chestnuts, salt, washed rice, dried squid or cuttlefish,"
"of losses) will be lowered in the rankings. The degree of a wrestler's success or failure will help give the assembly a benchmark for figuring how far he rises or falls in the rankings. High-ranking ""gyōji"" then take on the laborious task of copying down the new rankings on a traditional Japanese paper roll called a ""maki"". They carefully write down the ""kanji"" characters of each wrestler participating in a tournament in a calligraphy style called sumo ""moji"". The work is very intricate and requires a great deal of skill. It usually takes about a week to complete the document."
"be read right to left, top to bottom. It is considered a collector's item by sumo fans. The rankings on the ""banzuke"" are decided by an assembly composed of 20 sumo judges and three supervisors who gather a few days after each official tournament. The assembly assigns ranks to over 600 wrestlers in six divisions based on their performance in the previous tournament. There are no precise rules for assigning rank, but the general rule is that a wrestler who achieved ""kachi-koshi"" (a majority of wins) will be raised in the rankings and a wrestler with a ""make-koshi"" (a majority"
"sumo version of an autograph. ""Tegata"" consist of a print of a wrestler's hand using black or red ink accompanied by his ring name written in calligraphic style by the wrestler himself. Original ""tegata"" are given out to fans and members of one's supporter club. Printed copies of ""tegata"" can also be bought inexpensively. When a wrestler achieves ""sekitori"" status, he is allowed to have a fan/supporter club called a ""kōenkai"" if he has enough popularity. This is in addition to ""kōenkai"" associated with his sumo stable. These clubs often pool their money to buy the wrestler such items as"
"covered in multiple jumps, ponds, and hay bale walls. First to finish wins. This event was only played as the first event of the final round. After the last place team was eliminated, the remaining 2 teams would compete in Sumo. The sumo ring was oversized for the cars and was sectioned off so that various sections contained hazards. Water, sand, barbed wire, tire spikes and other devices were included to make the possibility of breakdown more likely. As with sumo wrestling, the first team to push the opponent out of the ring wins. Victory was also declared in the"
"bout. The ""shikiri-sen"" is painted daily with white enamel paint. Around the ring is finely brushed sand called the ""ja-no-me"" (蛇の目 snake's eye), which can be used to determine if a wrestler has just touched his foot, or another part of his body, outside the ring. The ""yobidashi"" ensure it is clean of any previous marks immediately prior to each bout. A roof resembling that of a Shinto shrine (which has been of the Shinmei-zukuri style since the 1953 May tournament) is suspended above the dohyō, called the ""tsuriyane"". The roof weighs 6.25 tons, and is supported by cables than"
"this is partly out of necessity as many wrestlers are too big to fit behind a steering wheel. Breaking the rules can result in fines and/or suspension not only for both the offending wrestler and his stablemaster. On entering sumo, they are expected to grow their hair long to form a topknot, or ""chonmage"", similar to the ""samurai"" hairstyles of the Edo period. Furthermore, they are expected to wear the ""chonmage"" and traditional Japanese dress when in public, allowing them to be identified immediately as wrestlers. The type and quality of the dress depends on the wrestler's rank. ""Rikishi"" in"
"techniques which require grabbing the belt or pants of the opponent also become ineffective, as this is illegal in MMA. Other sumo wrestlers to have fought in mixed martial arts include Alan Karaev, Kōji Kitao, Henry Armstrong Miller, Akebono Tarō, Teila Tuli and Wakashoyo. Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida also has a sumo background but his main style is Shotokan Karate. Rikishi A rikishi (力士) sumotori or, more colloquially, sumosan, is a professional sumo wrestler. ""Rikishi"" are expected to live according to centuries-old rules and, although there are some exceptions, most come from Japan, where sumo is practiced"
"at the initial charge. He favoured ""yotsu"" techniques, preferring a right-hand inside, left-hand outside grip on his opponent's ""mawashi"" (""migi-yotsu""), and 26 of his 41 wins between July 2007 and May 2008 were by ""yori-kiri"", or a simple force out. He was also known for his effort and technique at the edge of the ring, which often allowed him to win matches in which just a moment earlier it appeared that he would be pushed out. Takamisakari Seiken Takamisakari Seiken (born May 12, 1976 as Seiken Katō) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion,"