Ke Peng| Students Presentations forLanguages & Cultures of East Asia

What is sumo?Sumo is the national sport of Japan. Sumo is A type of wrestling Related to Shinto ritual Festival

Origin of SumoAccording to the Chronicles of Japan, Nihon Shoki, sumo started at 23 B.C. Since 726 A.C., sumo has been at the event for the Imperial Court. In the early Edo period (1603 - 1868 A.C.), the professional sumo was developed.

RuleThe winner of sumo is - the wrestler to force the opponents to step out of the ring - the wrestler to force the opponents to touch the ground with any parts of his body except for his soles No punch, no kick, etc

Sumo TournamentsThere are six tournaments in different places in Japan each year. Each tournaments runs for 15 days. Each wrestler in the upper divisions has one match per day. The wrestler who win the most matches over 15 days wins the tournament championship.

Sumo TournamentsThe matchups are made based on wrestlers division. No match between wrestlers from the same training stable. No match between brothers.

Sumo Match1. Sikiri (toeing the mark) The preparation period before a bout. Sumo wrestlers enter into the circular ring, stare each other down, crouch, and perform a Shinto ritual of throwing salt. The performance can be repeated until the both of wrestlers agree to do a bout.

Sumo Match2. Tachiai (Attendance) The initial charge at the beginning of a bout. Sumo wrestlers fight each other. 3. Determination of a winner. 4. Determination of a winning technique. Shijyu-hate (Forty-eight ways) http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=YBPFcYLZQA&feature=related

NH1

RankThere are six divisions. The highest division is divided into six ranks.

Yokozuna Ozeki

Makuuchi Sekiwake

Jyuuryou Makushita Sandanme Jyonidan Jyonokuchi Komusubi Maegashira

Slide 9 NH1Naohiro Horie, 7/1/2008

Rikishi (Sumo Wrestler)Appearance Sumo wrestler wears only mawashi, thick-waisted loincloth which is made of silk or cotton. The hairstyle is called oichyo (big ginkgo)

Heya (Room)Heya is a communal sumo training stable and organization where wrestlers train and live. All wrestlers must belong to a stable. Heya is set up by oyakata (), sumo coach. There is no transfer system between stables.

ShikoShiko is performed before each bout in order to drive away noxious vapors in the ring.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=fH5hZv_t468

Shinto in SumoTuna (rope) and shide (zigzag paper stripes) Tuna and shide mean a sacred space.

Shinto in SumoSalt is used for purification of the ring. In Shinto, it is believed that salt drives away noxious vapors, Jyaki ().

Shinto in SumoChikara-Mizu (Power water) The wrestler rinse out his mouse before a bout with ladleful of water in order to purify his body

Discussion QuestionWhy is sumo so popular in Japan? Do you know any wrestling like sumo in the other countries in East Asia. What is the difference between them? Is that also popular in that country?