The following words are terms used in sumo wrestling in Japan. is a competitive Contact sport where two Wrestlers ( rikishi) attempt to force one another out of a circular ring ( Dohyo) or to touch the ground

A banzuke

azukari (預り)

Hold. A kind of draw. After a mono-ii, the gyōji or the shimpan "holds" the result if it was too close to call. A Gyōji (行司 is a referee in professional sumō wrestling in Japan. This article about a judge in sumo For a kind of a feudal domain in the Edo period see Shinpan (daimyo. In 1927, the system was abolished and a torinaoshi (rematch) now takes place instead.

banzuke (番付)

List of sumo wrestlers according to rank for a particular grand tournament, reflecting changes in rank due to the results of the previous tournament. Banzuke (also called banzuke-hyō) is a document listing the rankings of wrestlers put out before each official tournament in the sport of professional Sumo. It is written out in a particular calligraphy (see sumo-ji) and released two weeks prior to the tournament.

banzuke-gai (番付外)

Outsider to the list. A wrestler who is not yet ranked, or has fallen off the banzuke due to injury or other reason for non-participation.

basho (場所)

Venue. Any sumo tournament. Compare honbasho.

chankonabe (ちゃんこ鍋)

A stew commonly eaten in vast quantity by sumo wrestlers as part of a weight gain diet. is a Japanese stew (a type of Nabemono or one-pot dish commonly eaten in vast quantity by Sumo wrestlers as part of a weight gain diet It contains dashi or chicken stock with sake or mirin to add flavor. Dashi ( 出[[wiktionary 汁|汁]] だし is a class of soup and cooking stocks considered fundamental to Japanese cooking. is an essential Condiment used in Japanese cuisine, consisting of 40%–50% sugar The bulk of chankonabe is made up of large quantities of protein sources, usually chicken, fish (fried and made into balls), tofu, or sometimes beef; and vegetables (daikon, bok choy, etc).

chikara-mizu (力水)

Power-water. The ladleful of water with which a wrestler will ceremonially rinse out his mouth prior to a bout, handed to him by either the victorious wrestler of the previous bout if he was on the same side of the dohyō, or by the wrestler who will fight in the bout following.

danpatsu-shiki

Retirement ceremony, held for a top wrestler in the Ryogoku Kokugikan some months after retirement, in which his chonmage, or top knot is cut off. The chonmage (丁髷 ちょんまげ is a form of Japanese traditional Haircut worn by men A wrestler must have fought as a sekitori in at least 30 tournaments to qualify for a ceremony at the Kokugikan. A sekitori (関取 is a Sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions Makuuchi and Juryo.

A dohyō

dohyō (土俵)

The ring in which the sumo wrestlers hold their matches, made of a specific clay and spread with sand. The dohyō (土俵 is the ring in which Sumo wrestling bouts are held A new dohyō is built prior to each tournament.

dohyō-iri (土俵入り)

Ring-entering ceremony, performed only by jūryō and makuuchi divisions. The east and west sides perform their dohyō-iri together, in succession; the yokozuna have their own individual dohyō-iri performed separately. The main styles of yokozuna dohyō-iri are Unryū and Shiranui, named after Unryū Kyūkichi and Shiranui Kōemon. Unryū Kyūkichi (雲龍 久吉 1822 - June 15 1890; aka Unryū Hisakichi was a Sumo wrestler from Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture Shiranui Kōemon (不知火 光右衛門 March 3 1825 - February 24 1879) was a Sumo wrestler from Kikuchi, Kumamoto A yokozuna performs the ceremony with two attendants, the tachimochi (太刀持ち, sword carrier) and the tsuyuharai (露払い, dew sweeper). The tachimochi (太刀持ち lit sword carrier is a term used in Sumo to describe one of the two attendants that accompany a yokozuna when he performs his The tsuyuharai (lit dew sweeper is a term used in Sumo to describe one of the two attendants that accompany a yokozuna when he performs his Dohyo

A dohyō-iri ceremony

The 68th yokozuna, Asashoryu, performing a dohyō-iri

fusenpai (不戦敗)

No fight loss. The loss recorded by default due to absence for a bout. If a wrestler withdraws from the tournament, one fusenpai will be recorded against him on the following day, and simple absence for the remainder.

fusenshō (不戦勝)

No fight win. A win by default due to absence of the opponent. If a wrestler withdraws from the tournament, his opponent for the next day only will be recorded a fusenshō.

gunbai (軍配)

A war fan, usually made of wood, used by the gyōji to signal his instructions and final decision during a bout. The gunbai (軍配 short for 軍配団扇 gunbai uchiwa) is a type of Japanese war fan which is solid not folding and usually made of Wood Historically, it was used by samurai officers in Japan to communicate commands to their soldiers.

gyōji (行司)

A sumo referee. A Gyōji (行司 is a referee in professional sumō wrestling in Japan.

hanamichi (花道)

The two main east and west "paths" leading from the preparation rooms to the dohyō. The dohyō (土俵 is the ring in which Sumo wrestling bouts are held

haridashi (張り出し)

Overhang. If there are more than two wrestlers at any sanyaku rank, the additional wrestlers are termed haridashi. Prior to 1995, such wrestlers were listed on the banzuke in extensions or "overhangs" to the row for makuuchi wrestlers. This is now an informal designation, since presently all wrestlers are listed within the normal bounds of the row.

henka (変化)

A sidestep to avoid an attack. If done, it is usually at the tachi-ai to set up a slap-down technique, but this is often regarded as bad sumo and unworthy of higher ranked wrestlers. Kimarite (決まり手 kimari-te) are winning techniques in a Sumo bout

heya (部屋)

Room, but usually rendered stable. See List of sumo beya for a list of sumo beya (sumo training stables. The establishment where a wrestler trains, and also lives while he is in the lower divisions. It is pronounced beya in compounds, such as in the name of the stable. (For example, the heya named Sadogatake is called Sadogatake-beya. )

hikiwake (引分)

Draw. It is very rare now.

hiwaza (非技)

Non-technique. A winning situation where the victorious wrestler did not initiate a kimarite. The Japan Sumo Association recognizes five hiwaza. See kimarite for descriptions. Kimarite (決まり手 kimari-te) are winning techniques in a Sumo bout

honbasho (本場所)

A professional sumo tournament, held 6 times a year in the modern era, where the results affect the wrestlers' rankings. A honbasho (本場所 is any of the six official professional Sumo tournaments held each year

ichimon (一門)

A group of related heya. See List of sumo beya for a list of sumo beya (sumo training stables. There are five groups: Dewanoumi, Nishonoseki, Takasago, Tokitsukaze and Tatsunami. Until 1965, wrestlers from the same ichimon did not fight each other in tournament competition.

jonidan (序二段)

The second-lowest division of sumo wrestlers, below sandanme and above jonokuchi. Professional Sumo is divided into 6 ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win/loss records

jonokuchi (序の口)

An expression meaning this is only the beginning. Professional Sumo is divided into 6 ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win/loss records The lowest division of sumo wrestlers.

jūryō (十両)

Ten ryō, for the original salary of a professional sumo wrestler. Professional Sumo is divided into 6 ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win/loss records The second-highest division of sumo wrestlers, below makuuchi and above makushita, and the lowest division where the wrestlers receive a salary and full privileges.

kachi-koshi (勝ち越し)

More wins than losses for a wrestler in a tournament. This is 8 wins for a sekitori with 15 bouts in a tournament, and 4 wins for lower-ranked wrestlers with 7 bouts in a tournament. Gaining kachi-koshi generally results in promotion. The opposite is make-koshi.

kadoban (角番)

An ōzeki who has suffered make-koshi in his previous tournament and so will be demoted if he fails to score at least eight wins. The present rules date from July 1969 and there have been over 100 cases of kadoban ozeki since that time.

kensho-kin (懸賞金)

Prize money based on sponsorship of the bout, awarded to the winner upon the gyōji's gunbai. The banners of the sponsors are paraded around the dohyō prior to the bout, and their names are announced. Half the sponsorship fees go to the Japan Sumo Association, and half to the winner.

An Edo-period wrestler wearing a keshō-mawashi

keshō-mawashi (化粧廻し)

The loincloth fronted with a heavily decorated apron worn by sekitori wrestlers for the dohyō-iri. In Sumo, a mawashi (廻し is the belt that the Rikishi (or sumo wrestler wears during training or in competition These are very expensive, and are usually paid for by the wrestler's organization of supporters or a commercial sponsor.

kimarite (決まり手)

Winning techniques in a sumo bout, announced by the referee on declaring the winner. Kimarite (決まり手 kimari-te) are winning techniques in a Sumo bout The Japan Sumo Association recognizes eighty-two different kimarite.

kinboshi(金星)

Gold star. Awarded to a maegashira who defeats a yokozuna during a honbasho. It represents a permanent salary bonus.

komusubi (小結)

Little knot. or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments The fourth-highest rank of sumo wrestlers, and the lowest sanyaku rank.

kosho seido

Public Injury System. Introduced in 1971, this system allowed a wrestler who had been injured in the ring during a tournament to sit out the next tournament without any effect on his rank. It was controversially abolished in 2003.

kuroboshi (黒星)

Black star. A loss in a sumo bout, recorded with a black circle.

maegashira (前頭)

Those ahead. or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments The fifth-highest rank of sumo wrestlers, and the lowest makuuchi rank. This rank makes up the bulk of the makuuchi division, comprising around 30 wrestlers depending on the number in sanyaku. Only the top ranks (maegashira jō'i, 前頭上位) normally fight against sanyaku wrestlers.

maezumo (前相撲)

Before sumo. Unranked sumo wrestlers in their first bouts. Participation in at least one maezumo bout is required to enter the jonokuchi division for the following honbasho. A honbasho (本場所 is any of the six official professional Sumo tournaments held each year

make-koshi (負け越し)

More losses than wins for a wrestler in a tournament. Make-koshi generally results in demotion, although there are special rules on demotion for ōzeki. The opposite is kachi-koshi.

makuuchi (幕内) or maku-no-uchi (幕の内)

Inside the curtain. or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments The top division in sumo. It is named for the curtained-off waiting area once reserved for professional wrestlers during basho, and comprises 42 wrestlers.

makushita (幕下)

Below the curtain. Professional Sumo is divided into 6 ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win/loss records The third highest division of sumo wrestlers, below jūryō and above sandanme. Originally the division right below makuuchi, explaining its name, before jūryō was split off from it to become the new second highest division.

makushita tsukedashi (幕下付け出し)

a successful amateur wrestler who is allowed to enter pro sumo at the third highest division (makushita). From 1966 until 2001 a rikishi would begin at the rank of Makushita 60, the bottom of the division. From 2001 this was raised to Makushita 15, but entry criteria were made stricter; a wrestler now has to have won one of the four major amateur titles. In the event of two victories in the same year, he can begin at Makushita 10.

mawashi (廻し)

The thick-waisted loincloth worn for sumo training and competition. In Sumo, a mawashi (廻し is the belt that the Rikishi (or sumo wrestler wears during training or in competition Those of sekitori wrestlers are white cotton for training and colored silk for competition; lower ranks wear dark cotton for both training and competition.

A mono-ii

mono-ii (物言い)

The discussion held by the shimpan when the gyōji's decision for a bout is called into question.

mushōbu (無勝負)

No result. A kind of draw. The Gyoji doesn't judge win-loss. A Gyōji (行司 is a referee in professional sumō wrestling in Japan. The system existed in Edo period. The, also referred to as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代 Tokugawa-jidai) is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868

negishi-ryu (根岸流)

The conservative style of calligraphy used in the banzuke. is a form of Calligraphy, or artistic Writing, used for writing the Japanese language. See sumo-ji.

Nihon Sumo Kyokai (日本相撲協会)

Japan Sumo Association, the governing body for professional sumo. The Japan Sumo Association (日本相撲協会 or Nihon Sumō Kyōkai is the body that operates and controls professional Sumo wrestling in Japan.

oyakata (親方)

A sumo coach, almost always the owner of one of the 105 name licenses (toshiyori-kabu, 年寄株). Also used as a suffix as a personal honorific.

ōzeki (大関)

Great barrier, but usually translated Champion. or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments The second-highest rank of sumo wrestlers.

rikishi (力士)

Literally, Strong man. The most common term for a professional sumo wrestler, although sumotori is sometimes used instead. See 力士 in Japanese.

sagari (下がり)

The strings inserted into the front of the mawashi for competition. The sagari of sekitori wrestlers are stiffened with a seaweed-based glue.

sandanme (三段目)

Third level. Professional Sumo is divided into 6 ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win/loss records The third lowest division of sumo wrestlers, above jonidan and below makushita.

sanyaku (三役)

Three ranks. The "titleholder" ranks at the top of sumo. There are actually 4 ranks in sanyaku: yokozuna, ōzeki, sekiwake and komusubi, since the yokozuna is historically an ōzeki with a license to perform his own ring-entering ceremony. or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments The word is occasionally used to refer only to sekiwake and komusubi.

sanyaku soroibumi (三役揃い踏み)

Ritual preceding the final three bouts of a honbasho day where three of the sanyaku-ranked wrestlers from the east and west sides in turn perform shiko simultaneously.

sekitori (関取)

Taken the barrier. A sekitori (関取 is a Sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions Makuuchi and Juryo. Sumo wrestlers ranked jūryō or higher. Professional Sumo is divided into 6 ranked divisions. Wrestlers are promoted and demoted within and between these divisions based on the merit of their win/loss records

sekiwake (関脇)

The third-highest rank of sumo wrestlers. or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments

shikiri (仕切り)

Toeing the mark. The preparation period before a bout, during which the wrestlers stare each other down, crouch repeatedly, perform the ritual salt-throwing, and other tactics to try and gain a psychological advantage.

A yokozuna performing a shiko

shiko (四股)

The sumo exercise where each leg in succession is lifted as high and as straight as possible, and then brought down to stomp on the ground with considerable force. In training this may be repeated hundreds of times in a row. Shiko is also performed ritually to drive away demons before each bout and as part of the yokozuna dohyo-iri.

shikona (四股名)

A wrestler's "fighting name", often a poetic expression which may contain elements specific to the wrestler's heya. A shikona (Japanese 四股名 or 醜名 is a Sumo wrestler's stage name or more precisely Ring name. Japanese wrestlers frequently do not adopt a shikona until they reach makushita or jūryō; foreign wrestlers adopt one on entering the sport. On rare occasions, a wrestler may fight under his original family name for his entire career.

shimpan (審判)

Ringside judges or umpires who may issue final rulings on any disputed decision. This article about a judge in sumo For a kind of a feudal domain in the Edo period see Shinpan (daimyo. There are five shimpan for each bout, drawn from senior members of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai, and wearing traditional formal kimono.

shimpan-iin (審判委員)

Umpire committee. The shimpan as a group.

shin-deshi (新弟子)

New pupil. A new recruit into sumo.

shiroboshi (白星)

White star. A victory in a sumo bout, recorded with a white circle.

sumo-ji (相撲字)

Calligraphy style with very wide brushstrokes used to write the banzuke.

Sumō moji (相撲文字) sample

sumo moji (相撲文字)

See sumo-ji. are Japanese lettering styles which were invented for advertising in the Edo period.

sumotori (相撲取)

Literally, One who does sumo. Sumo wrestler, but occasionally refers only to sekitori.

tachi-ai (立ち合い)

The initial charge at the beginning of a bout. The tachi-ai (立合い is the initial charge between two Sumo wrestlers at the beginning of a bout

tawara (俵)

Bales of rice straw. Tawara are half-buried in the clay of the dohyō to mark its boundaries.

A tegata made by Terao

tegata (手形)

A type of memorabilia consisting of a wrestlers handprint in red or black ink and his shikona written by the wrestler in calligraphy on a square paperboard. Terao Tsunefumi (寺尾 常史 born February 2, 1963 as Yoshifumi Fukuzono (福薗 好文 is a former Sumo wrestler It can be an original or a copy. A copy of a tegata may also be imprinted onto other memorabilia such as porcelain dishes.

tenno-hai

Emperor's Cup, awarded to the winner of the top division tournament championship since 1925.

torikumi (取組)

A bout during a basho.

torinaoshi (取り直し)

A rematch. When the result of a bout is too close to call even after the shimpan hold a mono-ii, they may call for the bout to be refought from the tachi-ai.

toshiyori (年寄)

A sumo elder. A toshiyori (年寄 is a Sumo elder To become an elder a retiring wrestler must have fought at least one tournament in the Sanyaku ranks or else

tsukebito (付け人)

A rikishi in the lower divisions who serves as a personal attendant to a sekitori ranked wrestler. A sekitori (関取 is a Sumo wrestler who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions Makuuchi and Juryo.

tsuna (綱)

The heavy rope worn by the yokozuna from which that rank takes its name. It weighs about 15 kg, and is much thicker in front than where it is tied in back. Five shide (紙垂), zig-zag paper strips symbolizing lightning, hang from the front. It strongly resembles the shimenawa used to mark sacred areas in Shinto. are lengths of braided Rice Straw Rope used for Ritual purification in the Shinto religion is the native religion of Japan and was once its State religion.

yobidashi (呼出 or 呼び出し)

Announcer. The yobidashi (呼出 or 呼び出し (announcer or beckoner calls a professional Sumo wrestler or Rikishi, to the Dohyō General assistants at basho. They call the wrestlers to the dohyō before their bouts, build the dohyō prior to a tournament and maintain it between bouts, display the advertising banners before sponsored bouts, maintain the supply of ceremonial salt and chikara-mizu, and any other needed odd jobs.

yokozuna (横綱)

Horizontal rope. or ( is the top division of professional Sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments The top rank in sumo, usually translated Grand Champion. The name comes from the rope a yokozuna wears for for the dohyo-iri. See tsuna.

Yokozuna Shingi Kai (横綱審議会) or Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai (横綱審議委員会)

Yokozuna Deliberation Council, a body whose members are drawn from outside the Japan Sumo Association that meets following each honbasho to consider candidates for promotion to yokozuna.

yumitori-shiki (弓取り式)

The bow-twirling ceremony performed at the end of each honbasho day by a designated wrestler, the yumitori, who is usually from the makushita division.

yūshō (優勝)

tournament championship in any division.