Sumo or sumo wrestling is a traditional Japanese wrestling sport usually practiced by very large men. The wrestling match takes place in a circular area of a clay floor and is accompanied by many rituals.
The Japanese consider Sumo a modern martial art; it is also a popular sport often broadcast on television. Besides Japan, the sport's popularity is also growing in other countries.
History of Sumo
The sumo tradition is very old, and the sport likely originated from a Korean martial art called Ssireum, which was introduced to the Japanese imperial court by a Korean prince in exile.
This sport was influenced not only by court life but also by the common people, and it contains many ritual elements derived from the Shinto religion.
Sumo is inseparably linked to the Japanese imperial family, as the emperor is the head of Shinto. Some therefore interpret the short, explosive bouts between the rikishi (wrestlers, literally strength-men) as battles between two kami (deities), and the rivalry between stables as a rivalry between universal forces.
Rikishi are seen as bringers of good luck. Touching a rikishi is believed to bring strength and prosperity, and rikishi are sometimes bothered by fans both inside and outside tournaments.
There are two ways to win a sumo match:
- The opponent touches the ground inside the circle with any part of their body other than the soles of their feet. Hair also counts as a body part in this case.
- The opponent touches the ground outside the circle.
The goal is therefore to ensure that the opponent cannot maintain themselves on their feet within the circle.
