Tokugawa+Sumo+Wrestling

**Sumo wrestling was a Tokugawa sport. The samurai, or warrior class , were allowed to practice as part of a military training. The matches were deticated to the gods in prayers for a good harvest. Sumo wrestling is about 1500 years old. The sport includes ritual elements, Such as salt purification , and the suites are deticated by traditon.** **A sumo wrestling match is accompanied by traditional asspects. The marching in of the wrestlers is a fornal ritual. The wrestlers are accompanied by two assistants. The referee wears a traditional kimono, with a hat. Traditional rituals are done before the match begins. The match is done in a doyos.** **Some Sumo Terms** ** //Aki// Autumn; used to describe the major tournament in September. ** **  //Banzuke// The official list of all participating rikishi in a tournament. ** **  //Barometer// Nickname for Wakanosato coined by Mike and Kenji. Wakanosato measures the performance of the other sanyaku rikishi each basho. If a rikishi loses to Wakanosato, he is not performing well enough to yusho. This formula held true from the time Wakanosato entered the Makuuchi division until the 2003 Haru basho when Wakanosato beat Chiyotaikai, who later took the yusho at 12-3. ** **  //Chanko-nabe// A stew unique to sumo where a myriad of fish, meat, vegetables, and noodles are added to a thick broth. Chanko-nabe, along with rice and beer, is the staple diet for the sumo rikishi. ** **  //Chumoku-ichiban// The most anticipated bout of the day. ** **  //Danpatsu-shiki// Retirement ceremony that involves the cutting of a rikishi's topknot. ** **  //Degeiko// Visiting a different stable and practicing with the rikishi there. Usually, a sekitori will do this when there are no other sekitori in his stable to practice with. ** **  //Denkoban// The lit-up panel hanging high above the seats that lists the days matches and results. The rikishi names are written in black kanji characters on a white background. A red line signifies the winner of the bout. ** **  //Deshi// An apprentice or understudy. Used to describe the lower-ranked rikishi in a stable. ** **  //Dohyo// The clay ring in which a sumo match takes place. ** **  //Dohyo-iri// The ring-entering ceremony. ** **  //Dohyo-matsuri// The ceremony to purify the dohyo on the first day of a tournament. ** **  //Ginosho// The technical merit prize awarded to a Maegashira rikishi who displays exceptional technique and variety in winning at least 8 of his 15 bouts. ** **  //Gunbaidori// When the judges agree with the decision of the gyoji. ** **  //Gyoji// The referee. ** **  //Harite// An open-fisted slap to the side of your opponent's face. ** **  //Haru// Spring; used to describe the major tournament in March. ** **  //Hatsu// First; used to describe the New Year basho in January. ** **  //Henka// Side-stepping your opponent's initial charge at the tachi-ai. ** **  //Heya// A Sumo "stable." ** **  //Heya-gashira// The highest-ranked rikishi in a stable. ** **  //Hikiwaza// Technique of pulling down your opponent usually after side-stepping his initial charge. ** **  //Hiramaku// Another name for the rank of maegashira. ** **  //Honbasho// A major tournament where a rikishi's rank on the banzuke is determined by his performance. ** **  //Inashi// A well-timed slap to the opponent's side causing him to fall to the ring floor. ** **  //Jungyo// A Sumo tour to areas outside the four honbasho locations. These exhibitions have no bearing on a rikishi's rank. ** **  //Jun-yusho// Runner-up. ** **  //Juryo// The rank below maegashira; the lowest of the sekitori. ** **  //Kachi-koshi// A majority of wins at a major tournament. ** **  //Kakuage// Promotion in rank. ** **  //Kadoban// A term used to describe an Ozeki who lost a majority of his bouts (makekoshi) at the previous tournament. Losing a majority of bouts again while kadoban means that the Ozeki will be demoted to Sekiwake for the next basho. He may be promoted back up to Ozeki if he posts 10 wins the next basho after demotion. ** **  //Kakusage// Demotion in rank. ** **  //Kan// Sixth sense. Frequently used in the expression "sumo-no-kan," or sixth sense in the ring, to describe a rikishi who has sat out for some time and is trying to get his feel for actual tournament competition again. ** **  //Kantosho// The Fighting Spirit prize awarded to the Maegashira rikishi who displays outstanding tenacity in his sumo by winning at least 8 of his 15 bouts. **
 * A aspect of the Tokugawa culture is Sumo Wrestling . As Japanese cicilization developed so did Sumo Wrestling . The concept was to throw the opponent off their feet . One wrestler was to throw there opponent out of the ring . Another way was to force the opponent to touch the ground with any portion of their body or feet . Or also disqualifies himself by using an illegal move, such as boxing the ears or striking with a closed fist . Matches generally only last a few seconds, and during this time, a typical wrestler will employ around 25 specific techniques. Some matches do run on for minutes . They are all preceded by an elaborate ceremony, with several minutes of false starts . There is 15 matches per wrestler for the higher classes .As for the lower wrestlers there is 7 matches . In divisions the wrestler with the most wins is the winner.**
 * The sumo wrestlers get their names called shikona . Which may or may not be like their original names . The names are giving to them by their trainer, or a family member that encouraged them into the sport . The names that are giving will be changed many times in their career .**
 * There are 6 divisions in sum wrestling . At the top of the sumo wrestlers hierarchy is the yokozuna . which is the grand champion . Once a wrestler reaches the rank of yokozuna, they cannot lose this status . However he will be expected to retire when his results begin to get worse . Makuuchi is the highest division . The most elite wrestlers are between the ages of 20 - 35 years old .**


 * The Japanese god Takemikazuchi won over the leader of a rival tribe and thus established the Japanese people as the masters of Japan. Sumo matches were originally a ritual aimed at securing better harvests .** **The first official sumo arena, the Kokugikan, was built in 1909 in Tokyo. The Japan Sumo Association was formed in 1925.**
 * In the 14th century, sumo became a professional sport and in the 16th century sumo wrestlers toured the country. In the old days, some wrestlers were homosexual prostitutes, and at various times, women were allowed to compete in the sport. One famous wrestler during the imperial era was a nun. A bloody version of sumo was popular.**