Sumo has its origin more than 2,000 years ago. Its rules have been created and diminished period after period. The origin of today’s sumo rules goes back to the beginning of the 17th century.

Wrestlers play sumo in a dohyo, a ring made of clay and sand. If one of them falls down or goes out of the ring, he loses. Dohyo is a sacred place. In fact, sumo has several events based on Shintoism. The day before the tournament, they hold a festival that purifies dohyo and enshrines gods there. Also, when the wrestlers enter dohyo, they clap their hands in order to show the respect toward the gods. These traditions are, however, sometimes regarded as discrimination against women because women are not allowed to enter or even touch dohyo.


Sumo wrestlers are definitely fat. However, there are varieties of wrestlers including Konishiki who weighed 284 kg or 626 lbs, and Mainoumi who weighed only 100 kg or 220 lbs. Their average weight is about 150 kg or 330 lbs. Each wrestler is ranked in banzuke.　　Juryo and Makuuchi wrestlers are also called Sekitori, and are highly respected. The current sumo association holds tournaments six times a year; three times in Tokyo. You can buy advanced tickets three weeks before the tournament begins. Wrestling starts at 9 a.m. everyday. Young wrestlers play first. Juryo wrestlers start playing at 3 p.m., and makuuchi wrestlers appear at 4:20 p.m. You can also see dohyoiri. There, all of the sekitori wrestlers purify dohyo by clapping hands altogether. Bring your own FM radio, by the way. At 4 p.m., you can listen to explanations every play in English.