Sumo in Pictures

One of the best trips we took as a family was in November a few days before Thanksgiving.  We bought tickets to see a Sumo tournament in Fukuoka.  This was a big "bucket list" item for us, and since the chances of us attending a Ninja Warrior taping at Mt. Midoriyama are rather slim, this experience made up for it.  After minimal research on ticket buying and seating, we ended up with decent seats in the arena.  I recommend spending at least 4,000 yen per ticket.  Also, you can bring your own food, drinks and pillows for your convenience and comfort.  I think the pictures I took on this trip tell our story pretty well.  So, feel free to read the rest of it in the following pictures and captions.  But first, a bit of history...
     Sumo has been the national sport of Japan for approximately 1500 years.  As with almost all things Japanese, the origins of sumo are religious.  Matches were dedicated to gods with prayers for a bountiful harvest.  The 8th century sumo matches were held in Imperial Courts to celebrate harvests and peace on earth.  Matches were more brutal during this time period until the courts started creating rules and customs that resemble the matches we see today.  As time passed, sumo wrestling was practiced for military purposes and later, professional sumo groups were formed to entertain the rapidly growing plebeian class.

The dohyo is the "ring" where a sumo match takes place. It is 18 sq-ft, 2 ft high, and made up of a special kind of clay.  The inner circle is a little over 15 ft in diameter.  The cover over the ring resembles a Shinto shrine and is decorated with four tassels representing the four seasons.

This was the view from our seats.  We had seats with backs like the ones pictured in the top right corner.  You will spend more for "box seating" (purple areas) and ring side seats.  Sitting ring side can be dangerous if the wrestlers fall off the dohyo.  It happened while we were there.  No one was seriously injured.

Certain websites regarding the sumo experience make a big deal out of being able to sit "Japanese style" for the duration of the tournament.  But, honestly, you can sit however you want.  The Japanese attendees aren't opposed to "criss-cross applesauce." :)

The afternoon session consisted of two to three groups of wrestlers who were ranked from lowest to highest.  The highest ranked wrestlers are called yokozuna and are scheduled last to fight.  However, in sumo there are no weight classes.  So a 500lb wrestler could be paired with a wrestler half his size.  The bigger wrestlers aren't always the winners.

Before each round, the wrestlers process out onto the ring, perform some ritualistic moves, and walk back out until it's their turn to compete.

Before each wrestler, or rikishi, comes out to fight, the announcer calls the wrestler's name in a long, drawn out, nasally voice.  Wrestlers choose poetic names for themselves.

The wrestlers raise their legs and slam them down to the ground to stamp out the evil spirits.  They also move out of the ring to wash themselves with water in order to cleanse the mind and body.  Salt is thrown into the ring to purify it.  However, you have to be a high ranking wrestler to have the salt throwing privilege.

The preparation rituals are 90% of the wrestling experience.  The point is to intimidate your opponent before physical contact is made.  The actual fighting is usually over in 20 seconds.  The longer the wrestlers take to prepare, the more excited the crowd gets.  The Japanese are very passionate about their favorite wrestlers.

The object is to push your opponent out of the ring or cause him to touch the ground with any part of his body (including hair).  The referee to the right shouts words of encouragement to both wrestlers during the match.

One of the larger contenders.

The ring is cleaned periodically throughout the day.

I'm pretty sure the man in red (center) was the defending champ, Hakuho. 

The most successful wrestler is given the opportunity to perform the dohyo-iri ceremony.

Just like all sporting events, you need a commentator box.

Proof I was there!

At the end of the 15-day tournament a grand champion is chosen.  We were there two days before the final rounds. While it is cheaper to attend matches earlier in the 15-day time frame, the excitement level is much higher toward the end of the tournament.  So, if you can afford it, go on the very last day.  I found out from a friend who attended on the last day that Hakuho made it to the final match and lost.