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Dohyo

What is Dohyo?

A "dohyo" is the ring or platform where sumo wrestling matches take place. It is typically made of a special kind of clay and covered with a layer of sand. The dohyo is circular and has a diameter of about 4.55 meters (approximately 15 feet). The boundaries of the ring are marked by rice-straw bales that are buried in the clay. The dohyo is considered a sacred space, and various rituals are performed to purify it before matches. Sumo wrestlers, or rikishi, compete within this ring, and the objective is to force the opponent out of the ring or to make any part of their body other than the soles of their feet touch the ground.

Related Article: Sumo Wrestling: The Traditional Japanese Combat Sport

Although it is important to study and train for skill in techniques, for the man who wishes to truly accomplish the way of budo, it is important to make his whole life in training and therefore not aiming for skill and strength alone, but also for spiritual attainment.
Mas Oyama

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Other Glossary terms

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Bushido, often translated as "The Way of the Warrior," is a code of conduct and a way of life that was followed by the samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan.
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Chen Style is the oldest and one of the most traditional styles of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan), originating from the Chen Village (Chenjiagou) in Henan Province, China.
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Mushin, often translated as "no-mind," is a crucial concept in martial arts. It refers to a state of mental clarity and heightened awareness where the practitioner acts without conscious thought or emotion.
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Kata is a fundamental component of traditional Karate and other martial arts, consisting of a series of choreographed movements and techniques performed in a specific sequence.
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Sensei
A sensei (先生) is a teacher or instructor in martial arts, a term that signifies respect and acknowledgment of their role in guiding students. Derived from the Japanese characters "sen" (before) and "sei" (life or birth), sensei literally translates to "one who comes before."
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Qi
Qi (pronounced "chee") is a fundamental concept in traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine, often translated as "life force," "vital energy," or "breath."
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Kyokushin
Kyokushin is a style of Karate founded by Masutatsu (Mas) Oyama in 1964.
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Judo
Judo is a modern Japanese martial art and Olympic sport that focuses on throws, joint locks, and grappling techniques.
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