History and Culture of Sumo and Sumo Movies

Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport, and its historical and cultural significance is very deep and rich. Here is some detailed information about sumo.

History

Ancient and Middle Ages

Origins: The origin of sumo goes back to ancient Japan. According to the 紀 of Koki and Nihon Shoki, sumo originated from the battle of the gods.
Heian Period: Sumo became a royal event during the Heian period (794-1185). The period saw sumo matches held in rituals and festivals.

the Edo period

The Beginning of Professional Sumo: Entering the Edo period (1603-1868), sumo became commercialized and organized. This period saw the formation of sumo associations around what is now Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
Bayshaw 屋 System: Bayshaw is a training center where sumo wrestlers belong. The system was introduced during the Edo period and has continued to this day.

modern times

Meiji Era: During the Meiji period (1868-1912), its popularity briefly declined due to the influence of Western culture, but it later maintained its tradition and became a national sport.
Currently: managed by the Japan Sumo Association, six contests (honbashos) are held annually. They are held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.

Rules

rules of play

俵: Sumo competitions are held in a 4.55-m-diameter circular stadium. Dohyo is made of soil, and the borders are marked with rice straw.
Win or lose: If you push your opponent out of the dohyo, or if a part of your opponent's body (except the foot of the foot) touches the dohyo, you win.
Techniques: Sumo has 82 official techniques (gimarite), and various techniques are used, such as pushing, throwing, and hitting.

the rank of players

Yokozuna (横綱): A player of the highest rank. Yokozuna is recognized through a special ritual (dohyo-ri), maintaining the position for life.
Ozeki (Great 関): The ranks below Yokozuna, you have to maintain a high winning percentage.
Sekiwake (関脇), Gomusvi (Little 結): The next highest class.
Maegashira: The rank of regular players.

Competition and Ranking

Hornbasho: It is a major competition that is held six times a year. Each competition is held for 15 days, and players play one game per day.
Makunouchi: This is a competition with the highest grade players. Under Makunouchi, there are grades such as 十両 and 幕.

a well-known player

yokozuna

Taiho (Great 鵬): The legendary yokozuna with 32 wins.
Chiyonofuji (千: の: Known for his 31 wins and strong physique.
Hakuho (white 鵬): an active yokozuna with the most records with 45 wins.

Culture

Bayshows culture

Training and Living: Sumo wrestlers live under strict training and discipline. In bay shows, there is a strict hierarchy by rank, and junior wrestlers help senior wrestlers live their daily lives.
Meals: A typical sumo wrestler's meal is a jjin-konabe (ちゃんこ鍋). The nutritious jjin-konabe is an important food for sumo wrestlers' physical strength and weight management.

Dohyo-Lee (土俵入り 俵入り)

Ritual: The dohyo-ri performed by yokozuna is a ritual performed before sumo games, which symbolizes power and tradition.
Clothes: Yokozuna wears a traditional mawashi, and a specially decorated tsuna (綱).

a related movie

"Sumo Do, Sumo Don't, 1992)

Contents: A comedy film about the effort and friendship of the revival of college sumo.
Characteristic: The traditional and modern elements of sumo are depicted in harmony.

"Kuro-obi" (Kuro-obi, 2007)

Content: A film about mental growth through martial arts, dealing with the philosophical aspects of sumo.
Features: It illuminates various traditional Japanese martial arts, including sumo.

"The Grand Sumo" (The Grand Sumo, 2015)

Contents: A documentary about the history and tradition of Japanese sumo and the backside of modern sumo.
Feature: Show the depth of sumo through interviews and matches of real sumo wrestlers.

a modern change in sumo

Foreign Athletes: The modern sumo features athletes from foreign countries, such as Mongolia and Hawaii. Representative foreign yokozuna include Akebono (曙太郎) from Hawaii and Hakuho from Mongolia.
Women's sumo: Traditionally only men's sports, women's sumo is also gaining popularity recently. Official women's tournaments are also being held.

Sumo is an important cultural asset that connects Japanese tradition and modernity, and it shows the spirit and culture of Japan well through its deep history, thorough discipline, and colorful rituals.