Sumoroku

Yobidashi travel over the Nihonbashi bridge to announce information about a new sumo tournament. Because there was no other reliable way to distribute the news, they would parade around the city sounding taiko drums to attract attention. Modern day yobidashi do something similar for the dohyō matsuri ceremony – they circle around the dohyō three times, then head out towards the heya to publicly announce the start of a tournament.

Narrative: It seems the yobidashi are announcing the tournament today. I knew they were here as soon as I heard the taiko drums. Soon after, they bellowed the news about the start of the tournament as their voices echoed throughout the streets. I can feel my body shaking in anticipation for what’s to come!

As the sekitori arrive at the tournament, they are accompanied by lower-division rikishi acting as their assistants, known as tsukebito, who carry their possessions in an akeni. A tsukebito is generally responsible for all of his senior’s day-to-day needs. During the tournament, the tsukebito can be seen carrying a cushion in and out of the arena for his superior.

Narrative: I am at Ekō-in Temple where the tournament is taking place. Rikishi are filing in, with the lower ranks carrying the higher ranks’ akeni. They all draw attention from onlookers with their imposing figures. Someday soon, I will walk beside them as an official rikishi.

Ryōgoku is a district in Tokyo that is home to numerous heya as well as the current and previous iterations of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan–an indoor arena that hosts half of the honbasho held each year. The name Ryōgoku, meaning “two provinces”, stems from a bridge of the same name. The bridge, originally constructed in 1659, connected the provinces of Musashi and Shimosa. The Ryōgoku area is also home to Ekō-in Temple, which was the venue for sumo tournaments prior to the construction of the original Ryōgoku Kokugikan. Sumo has also influenced local businesses in the area, with a spattering of chanko restaurants and many other sumo-related shops and attractions.

Narrative: I have finally made it to Ryōgoku. As I walk around, I can’t help but imagine myself training with my stablemates in a heya. The Ekō-in Temple is truly a sight to behold, more impressive than any structure I have seen so far. I will have to fight with all of my might to become an official rikishi, but I am determined and willing to risk it all for my goal.

The possessions of rikishi and top-ranked gyōji are stored and carried in lacquered paper-and-bamboo boxes called akeni. All akeni bear the owner’s name on the side and have the same color scheme of green, vermilion, and black. Yokozuna are allowed to use up to three akeni because they have more regalia. Akeni have no locking mechanism, instead consisting of a top section that simply slides over the bottom section. Traditionally made akeni are expensive and only made for members of the Sumo Association. But, fans may purchase plastic tissue boxes designed to look like akeni with the names of their favorite rikishi on the side.

Narrative: I have been given the duty of carrying one of the more advanced rikishi’s akeni. The box is definitely something to marvel at, but it will no doubt pale in comparison to the one I will eventually earn. I am looking forward to that day, but to get there I need to hone my skills and advance ranks first.

The difficulty of being a rikishi can take its toll, causing some to consider leaving. Some rikishi who leave may be tracked down by their stablemates and forced to return, while others will be forever barred from returning if they regret their decision. The text reads “If you land here, go back to start”

Narrative: Recently I have been questioning if I truly made the right choice to become a rikishi. The process has been more difficult than I imagined and sometimes I long for home. But these thoughts are not acceptable and I need to train my mind and heart. To do so I need to go back to the beginning and remind myself why I embarked on this journey in the first place. Only once I have regained my resolve will I be able to achieve my goal.

Practices start bright and early at around 5 A.M. Every practice begins with various exercises designed to increase strength and improve balance and flexibility. The most fundamental exercise is shiko, which is performed hundreds of times each day. Other exercises performed regularly include teppō and matawari. Once the exercise portion of practice is complete, rikishi move on to moshiai. Moshiai is a king-of-the-hill-style drill where rikishi engage in practice matches in which the winner remains until he loses. Rikishi also engage in a drill known as butsukari, where one rikishi pushes another across the dohyō. The rikishi that is being pushed acts as resistance but does not push back. Sumo practices are very demanding and leave rikishi exhausted by the end.

Narrative: The lower-division practices start before the sun rises. The hundreds of shiko cause my knees to shake until my legs feel like they will give out. During the moshiai matches, I am thrown to the ground by the more skilled wrestlers over and over again without rest. The butsukari feel like trying to push an unyielding mountain. Every practice takes all that I have out of me. My blood, sweat, and tears have soaked into the unforgiving clay of the ring. Despite this, I am determined to improve with every practice. I will persevere until I am the better wrestler, toppling my opponents and rising within my heya and professional sumo.

Jonokuchi is the lowest division in sumo. This division is primarily comprised of younger rikishi beginning their careers. Older, more experienced rikishi can be found in the lower three divisions by falling from higher ranks, typically due to persistent injury issues preventing participation in multiple tournaments. Promotions from this rank are common due to a steady influx of new recruits. This is the first rank in which rikishi have their names listed on the banzuke.

Narrative: This match will decide if I am promoted to Jonokuchi. It’s my most important match yet, but I am confident in my skills. I will face this challenge head on, and I will win!

Jonidan is the second-lowest division in sumo and one of its largest. This is due, in part, to a cap on the number of rikishi allowed in the divisions above jonidan. Rikishi in this division, as well as all other non-salaried divisions, receive an allowance in exchange for doing chores at their heya. They also receive prize money for winning their matches.

Narrative: I have moved up to jonidan. Not much has changed except a slight bump in my allowance, and I get prize money when I win a match. It’s not a lot, but it is a start. Each yen reminds me that I am on the right track. I just have to keep working hard and take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.

Sandanme is the third-lowest division in sumo. Like the divisions below it, sandanme is an unsalaried division filled with mostly young, up-and-coming rikishi. Some rikishi in this division skipped the jonokuchi and jonidan divisions because of a system known as sandanme tsukedashi. This system allows rikishi who place at a certain level in certain amateur or collegiate tournaments to skip the bottom two divisions. Rikishi in sandanme are allowed better-quality attire than their lower-division counterparts. This division has a cap of 180 rikishi. The text reads “Return to jonokuchi due to injury.”

Narrative: I almost reached sandame, but I twisted my ankle in my last match. Now, I am being relegated to jonokuchi. I understand the reasoning, but I am still filled with frustration. Nevertheless, I will recover and come back better than ever before!

This tile is a depiction of the Akizuki rebellion, which was an uprising by former samurai against the Meiji government in 1876. Enraged by the government reforms stripping them of their privileged social status, as well as the government-mandated prohibition of swords, several hundred samurai of the Akizuki domain attacked the prefectural office. The rebels were eventually suppressed and captured by the Imperial Japanese Army. This picture suggests that rikishi were involved in the event, but it is unknown to what extent. The text reads “If you land on this tile, return to makushita.”

Narrative: I have been demoted. I was involved in a scuffle where a man sliced my arm. Although there is no long-term damage, I have had to sit out a few tournaments while I recuperate. I am disappointed that I was demoted for actions done outside of sumo, but I know what I must do to regain my position. I have a challenging journey ahead of me, but I will not give up! Soon, the title of maegashira will be mine once more.

Komusubi or “the little knot” is the fourth-highest rank in sumo and the lowest rank of san’yaku. It is considered a difficult rank because komusubi face rikishi from the higher ranks of sekiwake, ōzeki, and yokozuna. Additionally, if there are no open positions at the higher ranks, a rikishi must either wait for an open spot or perform so well that they must be promoted. Being promoted to komusubi includes a salary increase in addition to other benefits related to hairstyle and attire. There are generally 2–3 rikishi holding the rank of komusubi.

Narrative: My next opponent is a sekiwake, and my anticipation is like never before. Winning this match will prove that I deserve to be a komusubi. Whether I am promoted or not, the rest of the san’yaku rikishi better watch out!

A rikishi being promoted to san’yaku is a momentous occasion. Thanks to the higher salary for san’yaku rikishi, it is common to have a big celebration at an expensive restaurant for a stablemate’s big promotion.

Narrative: Kanpai! We’re celebrating my san’yaku promotion and it feels amazing to have a night dedicated to the work I have done so far! Not only does it remind me of why I started this journey in the first place, it encourages me to keep pushing onward. My next celebration will be for reaching the rank of yokozuna!

A honbasho is an official sumo tournament organized by the Japan Sumo Association. These fifteen-day tournaments are held six times a year, beginning on the second Sunday of odd-numbered months. Three of the six honbasho are situated in Tokyo, with the remaining three taking place in Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Rikishi from the top two divisions participate in matches every day of the tournament, while those in the lower divisions have seven matches across the same fifteen-day span. The goal for all rikishi is to finish the tournament with more wins than losses, which is known as kachi-koshi. While there are other tournaments held throughout the year, only honbasho results are used to determine whether a rikishi is promoted or relegated.

Narrative: It is the last day of the tournament. The opposing ōzeki and I are undefeated going into our match today, so the winner takes all. If I win, it will be my second consecutive yūshō, which is the most important criteria for being promoted to yokozuna. My opponent, however, is perhaps the greatest rikishi I have ever faced. He had to withdraw before our match during the last tournament when I won my first yūshō. This time, I’ll prove that I deserve to be a yokozuna.

The Yokozuna ring-entering ceremony is performed prior to the start of makuuchi matches on each day of the tournament. During this ceremony, each makuuchi rikishi enters the dohyō in reverse order of rank wearing a keshō-mawashi, a ceremonial apron, and performs a short ritual. The rikishi are separated into two groups who both perform the same ceremony. The yokozuna participate in their own individual ritual afterward. During this ritual, the yokozuna enters the dohyō wearing a massive, braided rope in addition to his keshō-mawashi. This braided rope, known as a yokotsuna, is why the rikishi who attain this rank are called yokozuna. After clapping his hands to attract the attention of the gods, he extends his arms to the sides and turns his palms upward to show he isn’t concealing any weapons. He then lifts each leg in the air and stamps the ground, symbolically driving evil from the dohyō. Each yokozuna performs this ritual before matches begin.

Narrative: I have completed my dream of becoming Grand Champion, and this ceremony is the final step. Once this is over, I will have finally accomplished what I set out to do all those years ago. My new goal is to win the most yūshō ever recorded. My blood is racing thinking about all the new, young wrestlers who will rise the ranks to challenge me over the coming years. They will find me waiting, defending my place within the ring. I will not rest until I become the most well-known rikishi in the country. I will create a legacy that will be remembered for centuries. Next honbasho here I come!