Source： 大相撲ナビ

Nowadays, many sports from other countries are popular. However, speaking of SUMO, many still feel "old -fashion", "It's always get me down". Because of the image, it seems that SUMO is a sport which are unacceptable to lots of younglings. But there still are many maniac SUMO -fans. And so are wrestlers with variable personalities. Starting from female SUMO -fans, abbreviated Su -Jo in Japanese, widely spreading, the SUMO culture is getting more and more popular among younglings.

 

History of SUMO


Source：noren japan

SUMO, in history, is referred to some kind of sport held from the era of Kofun period. Comparing to now, the rules before were quite different. Even kicking was acceptable.

The following is Nara period. People created rules like 48 skills, etiquette and several others for SUMO. Next, in Heian period, people started calling wrestlers "Rikishi" all over the nation. SUMO was held as official big event as well.

Then, in Seingoku period, a feudal lord, Oda Nobunaga developed Dohyō, a ring in which SUMO wrestling bouts are held. And in Edo period, the sport was well -organized, like the Ōzumo was ran by official organization. Besides, along with the development of rating system, Yokozuna license was born.

In the time of Bakomatsu, thriving international communication and match between Rikishi and foreign martial artists, the game became various: game mixed up several different martial arts. Following this, SUMO had become national sport and showed strength of Japan.

But, following more open society and in order to join developed countries, “Naked prohibition” was born. This was as penalty to Rikishi, and Ōzumo was in a predicament, too. After that, thanks to Emperor Meiji and politician Itō Hirobumi, people could enjoy SUMO as before again.

As you can see the history of SUMO, SUMO was took as national sport in Japan, though, it was also denied before. But finally, SUMO made it.

 

Rikishi-fight for luck

Since long ago, Ōzumo is not mere sport. Ōzumo is relating strongly to Shinto ritual. Based on Shinto, a traditional religion in Japan, people pray for productiveness and bountiful fishing. The various things related to Rikishi who is the protagonist in Ōzumo are thought to be amulets. Even in modern society, people are still treasuring these lucky things.

 

Shiko – Stamping in SUM


Source：時事ドットコム

It is said that the act of Shiko is in order to purify impurity and maliciousness as well as pray for fruitfulness, and for keeping land from diseases and disasters. Nowadays, in some regions, people still remain a ritual from long ago. When people are going to build a new building, the ritual, Jichinsai, the Shinto ceremony of purifying a building site, is held. The behavior of Rikishi to stamping is for praying everything going well.

Sacred hug for baby


Source：チャイナネット

People say that if Rikishi holds a baby, the child grows up healthily and strongly.

In addition, there is another tradition, the crying SUMO. Baby wears Keshomawashi, an ornamental apron in SUMO, hugged by Rikishi and brought onto Dohyō. With babies’ loud cry, people pray for babies for growing up healthily.

 

Sukajan – strong and tough Japanese spirit

SUMO, with long history, is Japanese traditional culture and lucky representative. In modern, mixed with the features of revival tradition, Rikishi of young generation and Rikishi’s fans, the new culture is attractive. Retaining characters of tradition, mixed up with culture in new era and taking the culture over history, you can say SUMO is Japanese spirit.

The Sukajan, a special jacket mixed with Japanese culture, from the brand “Hanatabigakudan” is embroidered with the pattern of SUMO. The brand matches Sukajan with Japanese pattern carefully. You can see the enthusiasm and soul of Japanese spirit on the expression of embroidery. It’s the very curio that never keep you down. 

[HANATABIGAKUDAN] SUMO wrestling Souvenir Jacket

 

[HANATABIGAKUDAN] SUMO wrestling Souvenir Jacket