A Beginner's Guide to Sumo: An Easy Breakdown of the Basics and all the Best of Sumo

The sight of large rikishi, easily well over 100 kg, colliding head-on with full force is a thrill you won’t easily forget. The sound of the crashing boom as they collide is simply incredible, making for a sensory experience that you can enjoy on screen, but really must see live, and in the flesh to full appreciate.

As sumo doesn't have weight classes, you might see bouts between a rikishi weighing over 200 kg and one weighing less than half of that. One of the major draws in this case is seeing a smaller rikishi use not only power but also speed and technique to push out or throw the larger opponent.

Sumo’s long-staying history included three centuries of ritual tradition, as prayer for a bountiful harvest. The aspects of this are still very much alive in the movements of sumo today, such as “shiko”, the ritual stomping of feet on the dohyo to symbolize stamping out evil spirits from the earth for better health and harvest. There are countless other ritual gestures, like throwing salt onto the dohyō to purify the ring, that still carry a cultural significance. Seeing and knowing more about each of these gestures is one way to touch closer upon the history and culture of Japan.

In the 'Honbasho', the grand sumo tournaments held by the Japan Sumo Association, bouts are held to determine the top of sumo. The rankings of the rikishi are determined based on the results of these 'Honbasho'. There are six tournaments held throughout the year. The official names and venues are as follows:

Each tournament runs continuously for 15 days.

The first day is called "Shonichi", the eighth day is "Nakabi", and the final fifteenth day is "Senshuraku".
Although the timings vary slightly by day, bouts generally start around 8:30 am and end around 6 pm.

"Jungyo", or provincial tours, are also an opportunity to watch sumo. The tours are conducted with the purpose of promoting sumo, invigorating local communities, and fostering youth development. The rikishi affiliated with the Japan Sumo Association, which operates the "Honbasho", tour various locations and perform practice and bouts in front of the public. Unlike the "Honbasho", which determines the rikishi's ranking, there are opportunities to interact with the rikishi, such as taking commemorative photos or shaking hands.

At "sumo stables", which are the training institutes for rikishi, you can observe their training sessions. Some stables not only allow you to observe the training, but also to taste the stable's specialty, "chanko nabe". Whether you can visit or not depends on the stable, and the application methods, such as reservations or first-come-first-served, also vary by stable. If you want to visit, it is recommended to apply for an "Online Sumo Stable Tour", which you can reserve online.

Sumo wrestlers, known as rikishi, are ranked based on their performance in official tournaments, known as honbasho. This ranking, known as a banzuke, dictates not only a rikishi's salary and treatment but even their attire.
The ranking system follows the order below, starting from the highest.

The higher a rikishi is in the ranking, the better their salary and treatment. And their clothing is also determined by their rank. Once a rikishi reaches or surpasses the “Juryo“ rank, they are officially recognized as a professional rikishi, and they can wear their hair in the iconic “Oicho-mage“ topknot hairstyle, a mark of a full-fledged rikishi.

“Sumo-beya“, the sumo stables, are training centers managed by instructors known as “Oyakata“ or “Toshiyori“. Here, rikishi live and train in a disciplined environment, honing their skills for their career. To participate in official tournaments, “Honbasho“, one must belong to a “Heya“, making it a necessary step for those aspiring to become rikishi.

The winning techniques used by rikishi in bouts are referred to as “Kimarite“. There are eighty-two established techniques, known as “Kimarite Hachijuni Te“, as determined by the Japan Sumo Association. The types of Kimarite are categorized into basic techniques, throw techniques, hook techniques, bend-back techniques, twist-down techniques, and special techniques. Additionally, there are five types of match results. Knowing about these types of Kimarite can enhance your sumo-watching experience. According to a ranking of Kimarite in the past five years compiled by the Japan Sumo Association, 50% of the wins were secured by “Oshidashi“ (Frontal Push Out) and “Yorikiri“(Frontal Force Out).

The official website of the Japan Sumo Association has detailed descriptions of Kimarite, complete with photos and illustrations. Feel free to look them up.

In sumo, a bout is determined by forcing an opponent out of the ring, or making any part of their body, other than the soles of their feet, touch the ground. However, a match can also be determined if one engages in 'prohibited acts' or fouls. The following eight acts are considered prohibited:

The most accessible way to experience the culture of sumo is through "Chanko Nabe". "Chanko" refers to the meals of sumo wrestlers, and their nabe, or hot pot, is called "Chanko Nabe". The pot is typically filled with a broth made from chicken bones, flavored with soy sauce or miso, and filled with meatballs, napa cabbage, and other meats and vegetables. There's no fixed ingredients or flavoring - it varies by each sumo stable.

Sumo doesn't divide competitors by weight, making it a sport where larger body sizes have an advantage. Therefore, not only training but also meals are given great importance, and "Chanko Nabe", a dish that allows for a well-balanced and easily absorbable nutrient intake, is commonly consumed. Many retired wrestlers open restaurants where you can enjoy "Chanko Nabe". If you ever visit Japan, don’t miss the chance to eat this dish at a place where a former wrestler prepares and serves "Chanko Nabe".