相撲sumo
Quick definition:Sumo is traditional Japanese wrestling in which two large competitors try to push each other out of a circular ring or make the other touch the ground with anything but the feet.
Meaning
Sumo is a sport in which two wrestlers, called rikishi, face each other in a small circular ring made of clay. The match ends when one competitor is pushed out of the ring or touches the ground with any part of the body other than the soles of the feet. Bouts are often very short, sometimes lasting only seconds.
Sumo is closely connected with Shinto rituals. Wrestlers throw salt to purify the ring, stamp their feet and follow set routines before a match. Professional tournaments are held several times a year, and wrestlers live in training stables under strict rules and discipline. Their top-knot hairstyle and loincloth belt are traditional.
Anime and manga use sumo for comedy, action and drama. Some series are about a young wrestler rising through the ranks, while others use a sumo match as a funny moment, with enormous characters crashing together. The sport also appears in school clubs and festivals, where children try simple versions.
Origin:Sumo is a Japanese word, and its exact origin is uncertain. The activity is mentioned in some of the oldest Japanese writings, where it is linked with ritual contests held for the gods. The written form uses characters meaning mutual and strike, and the sport developed over many centuries into the professional version known today.
Example:In a comedy about a school club, a small student faces a much larger classmate in a makeshift ring drawn on the floor, throws a pinch of salt and crouches. The bout ends in seconds, and the audience laughs at the surprise as the larger competitor is pushed out, and the club cheers while the smaller student bows politely.
Did you know?Sumo has a ranking system with a top rank called yokozuna, and a wrestler must show both outstanding results and dignity to reach it. Rankings are published before each tournament on a special sheet called the banzuke.
