Do you know the deep fascination with sumo, a national sport of Japan?

Sumo, a national sport of Japan, has 1500 years of history. Many people around the world have probably seen the image of sumo wrestlers with top knots and unbelievably huge bodies wearing a loincloth and standing in the sumo ring, but how much do you actually know about the world of sumo? In this article, we are going to take you through the somewhat mysterious world of sumo, which is full of fascinating aspects that are not widely known despite the fact that it is a traditional entertainment.
Sumo has a long and unique history. It originated as a Shinto ritual about 1500 years ago. During the Edo period, it became more of an entertainment for commoners, and gradually went through changes to later form a professional league called “Grand Sumo” that we have today. Everything including its rules, techniques, appearance, and manners is unique, and the most iconic element is probably the physique of sumo wrestlers. They are really tall and heavy, with the average height of 183.3 cm and the average weight of 160.5 kg! If you get a chance to watch Grand Sumo matches during your Japan trip, the powerful and exiting matches in which the wrestlers crash into each other in the ring will surely blow your mind away. If you already have some previous knowledge of sumo, you might have seen a scene in which people throw Japanese cushions called “zabuton” at a sumo match. It used to be a customary thing that the spectators would do when they got excited seeing a major upset—for example, a lower-ranked wrestler winning against a Yokozuna, the highest-ranked wrestler. Although we no longer do that and we do “banzai” instead to applaud wrestlers for their amazing performance, the cheering and the excitement of spectators remain the same. Besides the cushion throwing, there are so many other interesting traditional elements unique to sumo, such as the manner in which wrestlers throw salt to purify the ring, the “shiko” exercise which is the basic sumo stance and which is to show the fighting spirit, the ranking system, and the “gyoji” who judges the match, just to name a few. There is one more thing that you should not forget—the delicious foods that satisfy your taste buds at the venues. At sumo venues such as Ryogoku Kokugikan, you will find a number of stalls, which are called “sumo jaya” reminiscent of the Edo period, lined up. The view alone is already astounding, but it will take you even deeper into the world of sumo when you watch sumo matches in the “Edokko” (meaning “Edo people”) style which is enjoying the delicious food in the special seat called “masu seki” where you are allowed to drink and eat. One another thing that makes sumo fascinating is the fact that it is blending well within the modern society while maintaining its aspect as a traditional sport. For example, there are many sumo training places called “sumo beya” in the “shitamachi” area (the low-lying area developed during the Edo period) including Sumida Ward, and they are popular among both Japanese people and foreign tourists as a sightseeing destination, and there is a nationwide competition event called “Wanpaku Sumo Taikai” (meaning “energetic sumo competition”) for elementary schoolers. It is a familiar activity for Japanese children, and some participants might become big sumo stars someday. Another example is “chanko nabe” a type of Japanese hot pot that sumo wrestlers eat on a daily basis. Not only are there many restaurants specialized in “chanko nabe,” but it is also enjoyed among ordinary households nowadays. Because sumo has been integrated naturally in the lives of Japanese people and so much loved, you can also find a lot of sumo-inspired merchandise. If you are looking for unique goods as souvenirs from your Japan trip, we recommend that you check out the goods, such as the “Oiri-zumo - Sumo” figurines that have an endearing look, as well as “guinomi” a type of sake drinking cup, that are available at Fa-So-La AKIHABARA. These items that are inspired by sumo—a martial art unique to Japan that places importance on tradition, discipline, courtesy, and manners—will definitely make wonderful souvenirs.

Figurines of cute-looking sumo wrestlers in different poses such as throwing and taking a nap. Oiri-zumo - Sumo / Tax-free price ¥1,800 each

Sake cup with an illustration of sumo, perfect for drinking Japanese tea and sake. Guinomi / Tax-free price ¥1,300 each
(Information as of April 2023)