THE HISTORY AND ART OF SUMO WRESTLING
- 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:
-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
-Exaggerated foot stomping
-Appease the Shinto gods
-Wrestlers turn palms up to display that they bear no arms
-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
-
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
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