SUMO

SUMO is a traditional Japanese sport where a RIKISHI (strong man) tried to push opponents out of the circular ring called DOHYO. Force the opponent touches the ground or with any parts other than feet. Japanese people thought that SUMO as KOKUGI (national skills). It is a tradition that is very old and until today, the sport still has many ceremonial elements such as the use of salt for purgation period since it was used in the Shinto religion. Life as a RIKISHI somewhat bound by the rules of the association of SUMO. SUMO professional members must live in the area called HEYA (room) where all aspects of their lives, from how to dress up to eat must according to strict tradition.

                                            





ORIGIN
Apart from use as a collision strength in the ring, SUMO is also associated with Shinto ritual, and some temples have held dances where people say wrestling with the "KAMI" the spirit of the holy religion. It is also an important ceremony in the palace. Representatives from each district was directed to attend this competition and wrestling in front of the emperor. Participants must pay their own expenses. In recorded history, SUMO has been changed according to popularity and the need for government use as a means of settlement when the occurrence of quarrels among the people. The main purpose is to win by throwing out opponents, and opponents rejected the concept appears later. In addition, believed that the courts also considered as areas that are provided by members of the audience to wrestling. It is said to come in the 16th century as a result of the tournament organized by the famous commander of the war, "Oda Nobunaga" (1534-1582). At that time, members SUMO wear loose cloth belt and not "MAWACHI" strict as today. In the Edo period, members will wear SUMO "KESHOMAWASHI" during the match, but today it is only worn during the pre-tournament ceremony. Most forms of SUMO and regulations on this day set in the Edo period.
SUMO professional league called "OZUMO" (SUMO large) can track the origin of the Edo period as a form of sports entertainment. SUMO formerly members of the class may once Samurai, usually "RONIN" (Samurai is no master) who need to find alternative income. SUMO Professional Championship that begins today in Tomioka HACHIMAN temple in 1684, and then it was held at Rani EKOIN during the Edo period. It was held at the Sports Arena RYOGOKU KOKUGIKAN since 1909, but KURAMAE KOKUGIKAN arena was used for competition after the second world war.
WINNING IN SUMO
                                   
SUMO competition winner is the first person to Successful reject his opponents out of the ring, or reject his opponent to touch ground with any site other than the legs. In certain circumstances, judges may give victory to the players before touching land. This occurs if both touch ground at the same time. It was determined that participants who both touched land not have a chance to win and he can not be in position to restore the state. There are several rules that can be used to determine victory. For example a participant who uses illegal technique will be lost immediately, so if "MAWASHI" torn up. A participant who fails to appear in the competition (including due to injury) considered lost. After the winner is determined, "GYOJI" (judges) will determine the "KIMARITE" (winning technique) that has been in use in the ring and then announced to the audience.
                                      
SUMO matches usually only lasted a few seconds, as one of the participants are often rejected out of courts immediately. However, there is also the last for a few minutes but this condition is extremely rare. Each game is preceded by a ceremony. Members SUMO itself known with a large waist size, since the body is a big factor in victory in the sport of sumo no weight division. But with the skills, members of the sumo smaller or lighter can defeat opponents that big and heavy.
DOHYO
                                           
"Dohyo" arena where the competition is held SUMO. "Dohyo" newly constructed for each competition by "YOBIDASHI" (commentator) who is responsible for this activity. "Dohyo" modern circle consists of rice straw "Tawara" diameter with an area of 4:55 m, which increased from 3.94 meters in 1931. It was put in the platform box 6.7 meters long each side that is made from clay, and as high as 34 to 60 cm. The surface will be covered by sand. There are two white lines in the midst of the so-called "SHIKIRISEN" (Cut Line) where both members have SUMO standing behind before competition begins. Around the ring there is a fine sand called "JA NO ME" (snake eyes), which can be used to determine if a participant touches the feet or other parts of the body outside the ring. "YOBIDASHI" will make sure it is flat and clean of all marks before each match.
"Dohyo" removed after each competition and to competition in the City of Nagoya, parts can be brought back by fans as a souvenir. "YOBIDASHI" also build "Dohyo" training center for ceremony and tour. For "Dohyo" outside or in a closed arena, must have a roof temple symbolizes "Shinto" on it. Furnishings rumbai red, blue, white and black hung in each corner of the roof represents the four sacred animals of East Blue Dragon, Red Bird, South West White Tiger, and  Black America Turtle.