Sumo: Pre-fight Customs and Rituals

Sumo originated as a religious ritual dedicated to the Shinto gods. Until the beginning of the 17th century, it was not intended to be a sport for public entertainment. The first sumo matches were held in Shinto temples as part of sacred dances and prayers for a good harvest. They were meant to appease the gods during festivals or to thank them for an abundant rice crop. Over time, sumo evolved into a type of sport while still retaining its traditional roots. During matches, ancient Shinto rites are still observed.

Sumo has undergone significant transformations throughout its long history. Sumo wrestlers played a significant role in the national life of Japan, much like gladiators did in ancient Rome, bullfighters in Spain, or boxers in England and America. There have been periods of decline and fierce criticism that have replaced the peaks of popularity, such as during the Meiji era (1868-1912). During this time, sumo enthusiasts were called retrograde and reactionary, and the sport itself was declared a "feudal relic." Despite these challenges, sumo has maintained its devotion to traditions and strict adherence to rituals, which have remained mostly unchanged.

Much more time than the sumo match itself, which lasts 3 minutes for the 13-15 age group and 5 minutes for the 16 and older age group, is taken up by the rituals that have been strictly observed for centuries.

Ring-entering ceremonies

Before the bouts in the top leagues, the makuuchi and juryo divisions, a ceremony called the dohyo-iri is performed. All wrestlers appear in beautiful festive belts called kesho-mawashi, true works of art. The price of such a belt is on average 4-5 thousand dollars, and it weighs about 10 kg. A wrestler's promotion to the juryo or makuuchi division almost always means that he will be presented with a kesho-mawashi worth at least a million yen [3, p.119]. The belt displays the wrestler's name, the name of the sponsoring organization, as well as scenes from ancient history, depictions of nature, animals, and birds. Upon entering the ring, the wrestlers proceed counterclockwise almost a full circle, then stop facing the audience and with their backs to the center of the ring. After the highest-ranked wrestler has raised his arm, everyone turns to face the center of the ring and synchronously performs a series of ritual movements. First, they clap once with their hands raised in front of them, then raise their right hand to head level, then shake the apron with both hands, raise their hands to head level, and finally lower them. All the movements of the sumo wrestlers during this ritual have deep meaning rooted in Shinto beliefs. Clapping their hands is intended to attract the attention of the gods to the bouts, shaking the kesho-mawashi, as well as shiko - stomping the ground with raised legs - symbolizes the expulsion of evil spirits, and raising their hands is intended to demonstrate that they have no weapons in their hands.

Rinsing the mouth with chikara-mizu

Purification plays a significant role in Japanese culture, especially in Shintoism, which emphasizes the importance of purity or "晴 harae." The purification ritual, known as misogi 禊, involves washing away dirt before important ceremonies and communicating with the gods. Shinto shrines always have a small well or container of running water, where people wash their hands and rinse their mouth before entering the shrine and addressing the gods. This ritual symbolizes purification, and wrestlers in Sumo wrestling follow a similar ritual before the match. After stepping onto the platform, they rinse their mouths with chikara-mizu 力水, or "water that gives strength," brought to them by the sumo wrestler who won the previous match. They do not swallow the water, which would signify their willingness to fight to the death. Wrestlers then use a special calligraphic paper called chikara-gami 力紙, or "paper that gives strength," to wipe their mouth, face, and body, which completes the purification process.

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Scattering of Salt

Another important ritual in sumo wrestling is the scattering of salt. Salt is considered a symbol of purity and life in Japanese culture, and it is commonly used in various rituals related to life and death. In accordance with Shinto beliefs, salt has antiseptic properties that can prevent infections and ward off evil spirits. Rikishi, or sumo wrestlers, perform this ritual in different ways, either by scattering salt in small pinches or by handfuls. The Sumo Association reports that up to 45 kilograms of salt are thrown onto the ring every day, 700 kilograms per tournament, and over 4 tons per year.

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Visual Battle

The next ceremony is a psychological showdown called 睨み合いにらみあい, which means "staring angrily at each other." The wrestlers sit in their starting positions and stare at each other with a gaze full of readiness. Then, they stand up, move to the corners of the ring, and scatter salt. Afterward, they engage in an intense visual battle, trying to defeat their opponent with their gaze. This is repeated three or four times before the match begins. The wrestlers must touch the ground with their fists and simultaneously rush toward each other after the referee's command. Although some foreigners might find the rituals and repetitive staring matches unnecessary or boring, many matches are won psychologically during this intense visual contact. Impatience gradually builds up as the wrestlers prepare for the match.

Conclusion

Sumo wrestling is not just a sport, but a traditional Japanese cultural practice that has deep roots in Shintoism. The rituals that are performed before the match are just as important as the match itself, and they symbolize purification, expelling evil spirits, and attracting the attention of the gods. The wrestlers wear expensive kesho-mawashi, which display their name, the name of their sponsoring organization, and scenes from ancient history, animals, and nature. The ring-entering ceremony, scattering of salt, and intense visual battle all have symbolic significance and contribute to the psychological aspect of the match. Despite the challenges that Sumo has faced over the years, it has maintained its strict adherence to tradition and remains an important part of Japanese culture. By understanding and appreciating these traditions, we can gain a deeper insight into the essence of sumo wrestling and the culture that surrounds it.

Are you fascinated by the deep meaning behind sumo pre-fight rituals? If so, you can deepen your knowledge by learning about the pre-fight ritual in Muay Thai.