log inhelp

 | 

  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • Dokkio Sidebar applies AI to make browsing the web faster and more productive. Whenever you open Sidebar, you'll get an AI summary of the web page and can ask any question you like about the content of the page! Try Dokkio Sidebar for free.

View
 

Sumo Wrestling

Page history last edited by PBworks 14 years, 7 months ago

 

 

 THE HISTORY AND ART OF SUMO WRESTLING

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
YouTube plugin error                                                                                    YouTube plugin error
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 HISTORY OF SUMO:
 
  • Dates back to year 712
  • Fight between two gods, Ttakemikazuchi and Takeminnakata
  • Fought until one lost
  • Some say it is an agricultural ritual to the gods for good harvest
  • Right away in the Shinto religion to show respect and praise

 

 

 

 

 

SUMO RITUALS:

 

  • Chiri-chozu
                  -Wrestlers squatt at oppostie end of the ring, extend arms and clap their hands once.
                  -Ward off evil spirts that might be in or around the ring
  •  Shiko
                  -Exaggerated foot stomping
                  -Appease the Shinto gods

 

  • Open Palms
                                          -Wrestlers turn palms up to display that they bear no arms

 

  • Salt
                  -Tossed into the ring to finish rituals
                  -Clarify the ring and allow competitors to wish the other well-being and prosperity

 

 
 
 
 
 
 Sumo Silk Wraps:                                                                                                      
                                                                                                            
 
 
 
  • Special aprons were designed for the wrestlers embroidered with the god they served
  • Gave fame and prestige, many wrestlers fought to obtain and wear these sacred aprons
  • Today, wrestlers wear aprons that denote their birthplace, their rank, or the gym they belong to
 
 
 
Time to Wrestle:

 

  • The ring (dohyo) is made with clay with sand spread over the top
  • 4.55 meters (15 feet) in diameter and sit about 35-60 centimeters (2 feet) off the ground
  • At the center, two white lines seperate wrestlers
 
 
 
                                                                                           
 
 
  • Once rituals are completed, wrestlers must position themselves behind these lines and begin the stare off
  • Wrestlers glare at each other for up to four minutes in hopes to break the other's focus and catch him off guard
  • When the wrestling match beings, it is only a matter of seconds before the wrestler is claimed winner
  • Two Rules determine winner:
                -First wrestler to touch any part of his body to the ground, loses
                -First wrestler to touch any part of his body outside the ring loses
  • Pulling hair, poking eyes, or striking with a closed fist is not allowed
  • If these tactics are done, the wrestler will lose automaticly
  • Match usually only lasts for a few seconds
  • Once a wrestler wins, elaborate celebrating of size and strength is shown
 
 
 
 
The Wrestlers (Rikishi):
 
 
 
  • Most wrestlers are around 5' 10" tall
  • Weigh about 330 pounds
  • Six divisions
                                        -Makuuchi (fixed at 42 wrestlers), Juryo (fixed at 28 wrestlers), Makushita (fixed at 120 wrestlers),                           Sandanme (fixed at 200 wrestlers), Jonidan (fixed at 230 wrestlers), Jonokuchi (fixed at 80 wrestlers)

 

  • Wrestlers enter sumo at the lowestest level (Jonokuchi) and work their way up to the highest level (Makuuchi) ability permitting
  • The top two groups are the only ones salaried
  • Others are given allowance and in return have to perform chores at their training homes
  • Compete in six tornaments each year in each odd numbered month
  • Each tournament lasts for fifteen days
 
 
Speciality Diet:
  • No breakfast but many larger meals throughout the day
  • Most meals consists of high fat to put on weight
  • Eat and rest a lot during the day
  • Chankonabe- soup with loads of meat and vegetables
 
 
 
 
 
 
  YouTube plugin error
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 More Awesome Links:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.

Printable version