A FEW COMMON SUMO TERMS

Sumo’s greatest charm is its strict adherence to millennia-old rules and terminology. The sport and the terms associated with it are as much a reflection of Japanese history and culture as they are of the exploits of some of the greatest sportspersons the country has produced. Sumo is a simple sport, and the objective is for wrestlers to make their opponents touch the ground with any part of the body apart from the feet, or force them out of the dohyo or ring. Here are some common sumo terms you should know in case you decide to watch it:

Banzuke: Ranking of sumo wrestlers before a tournament, just like a grand slam tennis tournament would release its seeds. The banzuke is written in exceptionally beautiful calligraphy and released 13 days before a tournament begins.

Maegashira, Komusubi, Sekiwake, Ozeki, Yokozuna: The ranks of sumo’s top division called makuuchi. Yokozuna is the highest rank in the sport, and wrestlers with that honour are often among the most respected people in Japan.

Gyoji and Rikishi: A gyoji is a referee, while rikishi is the Japanese word for sumo wrestler. An alternative word for a top division rikishi is sumotori.

Shiko: A basic (but tough) sumo exercise where each leg in succession is lifted as high and straight as possible and then brought down on the ground with immense force. This is done to chase demons away from the ring. In training, rikishi are expected to do the shiko hundreds of times in a row.

Shikona: The ring name for a wrestler in the juryo (second) and makuuchi (top) divisions.

Shimpan: The ringside judges. There are five for each bout, and are called into play when there is a doubt with a gyoji’s ruling.

Kimarite: Winning techniques in a bout. There are 82 official kimarite. Though sumo is seemingly easy and simple, the complexities in the winning techniques are formidable and it takes years to master them. The most common kimarite are yorikiri, oshidashi, yoritaoshi, hatakikomi, uwatenage, and okuridashi. Tachi-ai: Initial charge by the wrestlers.

Mawashi: An elaborately-worn yet plain loincloth. Top-division wrestlers can wear silk mawashi during competition.

Kinboshi: A rare victory by a maegashira rank wrestler over a yokozuna. This results in a salary bonus that lasts until the rikishi retires.