Sumo wrestling has always been a spectator sport with the people enjoying every moment of the match where one sumo tries defeating another sumo. The sumos consider the wrestling as a form of modern Japanese martial arts. The sumo wrestling is said to have originated in Japan, the only place where this form of wrestling has been practiced professionally. It is a form of competitive contact sport where one of the wrestlers tries to push the other wrestler out of the marked ring or tries to make him touch the ground with any part of the body other than the foot’s sole. This style of wrestling is said to have been included in Shinto religion and it still has rituals from the ancient days such as the use of salt for purification.
The basic rules of sumo wrestling are very simple – the wrestler who is pushed out of the marked ring or has to touch the ground by any body part other than the soles of his feet, loses. The fight takes place in rings made especially for this purpose. The ring is made of clay and is covered by a layer of sand. The fights are generally of very short duration and seldom lasts a couple of minutes. The various moves allowed for the sumos number up to 70. Over arm throwing and underarm throws are allowed; however, moves like that of hair-pulling, closed fisted strikes or eye-gouging are strictly restricted and results in the forfeit of the match. Sumo wrestling is a hierarchal sport and it follows rules and regulations very strictly.
Takeminakata and Takemikazuchi
Sumo wrestling is a technique which dates back to the earliest written records in Japanese history. The initial mention of sumos in written records can be found in Kojiki or the record of the ancient matters which dates back to the year 712. The Kojiki (record of ancient matters) speaks of a legend regarding the ownership of land in Japan was decided by a wrestling match. It is said that two gods Takeminakata and Takemikazuchi fought along the coast of Japanese land until one of them conceded. It is said that Takemikazuchi won the fight and was allowed to start his family on the lands of Japan.
Ancient days – Rule of the Emperors
Sumo wrestling also finds its place in the records of early history of Nihon Shoki, the early Shinto and the Kojiki. When the sport was first introduced it was mostly to ensure good harvest. Sumo wrestling became highly popular and soon existed among the prime entertainers for the general public. During the rule of the emperor Shomu, various wrestlers had to be recruited from different parts of Japan to take part in the annual festivity. Later on, under the rule of emperor Saga, this form of wresting had been encouraged as the form of martial arts and the rules were established along with refining the techniques. By the closing stages of Heian rule this form of wrestling was recognized as court custom to please the emperors.
It was during the period of Edo of the Japanese history that a ranking system along with ranking sheets corresponding to individual wrestlers had been initiated for the 1st time. Sumo wrestling gradually emerged more as a form of professional sport along with the rules and regulations and ceremonies very similar to the present era. The sumo association of Japan is the governing body of sumo wrestling and consists of the elder wrestlers or ‘rkishis’ – the name given to them. At the top of the hierarchy is the Yokozuna who is the champion among all sumos and is expected to give a result with a margin not less than in 13-2. There are two wrestlers having Yokozuna title currently – Hakuho and Asashoryu.
Birth of Sumo – Hakuho and Asashoryu
The sumo wrestling is a representation of tradition and rituals in the present modern world. It is one among the different enjoyable sports and its reputation is growing by each passing day among the spectators. However, it originated as a sport during the 9th century, when a wrestler with the name of Hajikami wore a ‘shimenawa’ around his waist and challenged his opponents to touch it. According to another faction, it is believed that the renowned wrestler Akashi Shiganosuke had been declared the first Yokozuna, posthumously due to the respect he showed to the emperor during his visit in 1630.
Asashoryu and Hakuho
Asashoryu had been promoted to the rank of the Yokozuna in January, 2003, becoming the 68th Yokozuna. Similarly, Hakuho was graced by the rank in May, 2007 as the 69th Yokozuna. Both these individuals are from Mongolia and are the active Yokozunas, imparting their skills to the future generations, with their unique style and stance.