Quick Guide: Commonly Used Terms related to Sumo Wrestling

Spectating a Sumo Match
Sumo Terminologies
Sumo Techniques
 

Spectating a Sumo Match

Every year on the first Sunday of February, our students and the Coto Japanese Academy team get the chance to witness the annual Sumo Grand Tournament in Kokugikan, Tokyo’s indoor stadium where 3 out of the six yearly tournaments are held. 相撲（すもう） dates back to 2000 years ago, but it really flourished as a spectator sport in the early 1600’s. Strict rules and traditions can be observed throughout a tournament.

A beginner watching sumo for the first time is quickly surprised by how very little time is spent wrestling. The wrestlers spend most of their time performing pre-bout ceremonies rooted deeply in Shinto tradition… To scare their opponents before the fight begins.
 

Sumo Terminologies

We’ve gathered a quick list of sumo terminology that will come in handy, but don’t worry about memorizing too much!

• 力士（りきし）
  A Sumo “Wrestler.”
• 横綱（よこずな）
  The highest rank in Sumo, usually translated as “Grand Champion”, from which a rikishi cannot be demoted.
• 部屋（へや）
  Literally room, means “stable” in the context of sumo.
• 師匠（ししょう）
  An elder and experienced 力士, in charge of a sumo stable.
• 廻し（まわし）
  A huge thick belt that 力士 wear for training (cotton) and competition (silk).
• 土俵（どひょう）
  The ring, made of clay and spread with sand.
• 番付（ばんずけ）
  The official list of 力士, according to rank, participating in a particular grand tournament. The list reflects changes in rank due to the results of the previous tournament.
• 立会（たちあい）
  The initial charge at the beginning of a bout.
• 審判（しんぱん）
  One of the five judges sitting around the ring, to help officiate the bouts.
• 取組（とりくみ）
  A sumo bout.
• 技（わざ）

  A technique. To the untrained eye, rikishi actions might look like a playground brawl, but in fact wrestlers can perform more than 80 winning tricks during a bout!

Sumo Techniques

• 往（い）なし: A well-timed slap to the opponent’s side causing him to fall to the ring floor.
• 送（おく）り出（だ）し: A winning technique that involves pushing the opponent out of the ring from behind.
• 優勝（ゆうしょう）: A tournament victory.

Seeing sumo in action is one of the best cultural experiences you can have in Japan and watching a grand tournament should definitely be on your list. If you’re with us on Sunday, we hope you’ll have fun!