The official ranking list published before each tournament. It determines matchups and privileges, and is written in a distinctive calligraphic style.
A wrestler who has not yet been placed on the official ranking list. New recruits typically compete in banzuke-gai bouts before receiving a formal rank.
A sumo tournament. Six official basho are held each year, alternating between Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
A training exercise where one wrestler charges repeatedly into another who absorbs the impact. It builds stamina and pushing power.
The communal stew eaten daily by sumo wrestlers. Chanko-nabe is high in protein and calories, forming the staple diet that helps wrestlers maintain their size.
Power water offered to a wrestler before a bout by the previous winner. The wrestler rinses his mouth as a ritual purification before stepping onto the dohyo.
A ritual hand-clapping performed before a bout. The wrestler extends his arms, claps, then turns his palms up and down to show he carries no weapons.
The retirement ceremony where a wrestler's topknot is ceremonially cut. Close friends, supporters, and the stablemaster each snip a lock of hair, with the final cut severing the topknot.
The raised clay ring where bouts take place. It is 4.55 meters in diameter, bounded by straw bales (tawara), and sits atop a square platform about 60 cm high.
The ring-entering ceremony performed before bouts begin. Makuuchi and juryo wrestlers parade around the dohyo, while yokozuna perform a separate, more elaborate ceremony.
A loss by default, recorded when a wrestler forfeits a scheduled bout, typically due to injury or withdrawal from the tournament.
A win by default, awarded when the opponent forfeits. The winner receives the victory without competing.
The ornamental war fan carried by the gyoji (referee). It is used to signal the start of a bout and to indicate the winner.
The referee who officiates bouts on the dohyo. Gyoji wear elaborate traditional robes and carry a gunbai fan. Senior gyoji carry a short sword, symbolizing their willingness to accept responsibility for incorrect calls.
The walkway leading from the dressing rooms to the dohyo. Wrestlers enter and exit through the east and west hanamichi.
The January tournament, the first of six annual honbasho. It is held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
A sidestep at the initial charge (tachiai) to dodge the opponent's attack. It is legal but often considered unsportsmanlike, especially for higher-ranked wrestlers.
A sumo stable where wrestlers live, train, and eat together. Each stable is led by an oyakata (retired wrestler) who oversees daily life and training.
An official tournament that counts toward rankings. There are six honbasho per year, each lasting 15 days, held in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Retirement from active competition. A wrestler who retires may become an oyakata (stablemaster) if he held a high enough rank and acquires elder stock.
The second-lowest division in professional sumo, above jonokuchi. Wrestlers here compete in seven bouts per tournament.
The lowest division in professional sumo. New recruits start here after their initial banzuke-gai bouts.
The runner-up prize, awarded to the wrestler with the second-best record in a tournament.
The second-highest division, and the lowest rank at which wrestlers are considered sekitori. Juryo wrestlers receive a salary, have attendants, and can wear silk mawashi.
A winning record: more wins than losses in a tournament (at least 8-7 in the top two divisions). Achieving kachi-koshi typically leads to a rise in rank.
A probationary status for an ozeki who had a losing record in the previous tournament. If the ozeki fails to achieve kachi-koshi while kadoban, they are demoted.
Prize money banners paraded around the dohyo before a bout, sponsored by companies or individuals. The winner receives the prize envelopes from the gyoji's fan.
An ornate ceremonial apron worn by sekitori during the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony. They are elaborately embroidered and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The winning technique officially recorded for a bout. The Japan Sumo Association recognizes 82 kimarite plus several non-technique win categories.
A gold star awarded to a maegashira who defeats a yokozuna in a honbasho. Each kinboshi adds a permanent bonus to the wrestler's salary.
Prohibited techniques in sumo, such as punching with a closed fist, eye-gouging, hair-pulling, or grabbing the groin area of the mawashi. Using kinjite results in disqualification.
The fourth-highest rank in sumo and the lowest of the named san'yaku ranks. Komusubi wrestlers face top-ranked opponents every tournament.
Absence from a tournament due to injury or illness. A wrestler who goes kyujo receives losses for any remaining scheduled bouts.
The rank-and-file wrestlers of the top makuuchi division. Maegashira are numbered from 1 (highest) downward, with higher numbers facing lower-ranked opponents.
A losing record: more losses than wins in a tournament. Make-koshi typically results in a drop in rank for the following tournament.
The third-highest division, directly below juryo. The top makushita wrestlers are on the cusp of promotion to salaried sekitori status.
The top division in professional sumo, consisting of 42 wrestlers. It includes the yokozuna, ozeki, sekiwake, komusubi, and maegashira ranks.
A false start at the tachiai. Both wrestlers must charge simultaneously with both fists touching the ground. If one starts early, the gyoji calls matta and they reset.
The thick belt worn by sumo wrestlers during competition and practice. Sekitori wear silk mawashi in competition, while lower-ranked wrestlers wear cotton.
A belt-focused style of wrestling where the wrestler seeks to grip the opponent's mawashi and use throws or lifts to win.
A judge's conference called when the ringside shinpan dispute the gyoji's decision. The judges gather on the dohyo to discuss and may reverse the call, uphold it, or order a rematch.
The final bout of each day's competition, typically featuring the highest-ranked wrestlers. It is the most anticipated match of the day.
The middle day of a tournament, day 8. It marks the halfway point and is often used to assess each wrestler's prospects for the second half.
A clapping motion aimed at the opponent's face during the tachiai to startle them and create an opening. It is legal but considered a surprise tactic.
A pushing and thrusting style of wrestling that relies on driving the opponent out without gripping the belt. Wrestlers use open-palm strikes to the chest and throat.
A retired wrestler who serves as a sumo elder and typically runs a training stable (heya). Only former sekitori who hold elder stock can become oyakata.
The second-highest rank in sumo. Promotion requires roughly 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments at san'yaku level. An ozeki with a losing record becomes kadoban.
A professional sumo wrestler. The term literally means 'strong man' and applies to wrestlers of all ranks.
The stiffened strings hanging from the front of a wrestler's mawashi during bouts. Sekitori wear stiffened sagari, while lower-ranked wrestlers wear unstiffened ones.
The named ranks above maegashira in the makuuchi division: komusubi, sekiwake, ozeki, and yokozuna. Broadly, it refers to the titled wrestlers.
The third-lowest division in professional sumo, above jonidan. Wrestlers here compete in seven bouts per tournament.
Three special prizes awarded to exceptional makuuchi wrestlers at the end of each tournament: shukun-sho (Outstanding Performance), kanto-sho (Fighting Spirit), and gino-sho (Technique).
Wrestlers in the top two divisions (makuuchi and juryo). Sekitori receive a monthly salary, have personal attendants, and enjoy numerous privileges not available to lower-ranked wrestlers.
The third-highest rank in sumo. Sekiwake are strong wrestlers often considered candidates for future ozeki promotion.
The final day of a tournament (day 15). Senshuraku features special matchups, playoff bouts if needed, and the award ceremonies.
The pre-bout ritual where wrestlers face off, crouch, and psyche each other out before the tachiai. Higher-ranked bouts allow up to four minutes of shikiri.
The basic sumo exercise of alternately raising each leg high and stamping it down. It builds leg strength and balance, and is performed ritually on the dohyo to drive away evil spirits.
A wrestler's ring name, distinct from their birth name. Shikona are often chosen to evoke strength, nature, or connection to the wrestler's stable lineage.
A new recruit entering professional sumo. Shin-deshi must pass a physical examination and start at the bottom of the rankings.
The five judges seated around the dohyo who can overturn the referee's decision. They are retired wrestlers serving as elders of the Sumo Association.
The ritual throwing of salt onto the dohyo to purify it before a bout. Only sekitori perform shiomaki, and some wrestlers are known for their dramatic, crowd-pleasing tosses.
The first day of a tournament. Shonichi sets the tone for the competition and attracts large crowds eager to see the opening matchups.
The Japan Sumo Association (JSA), the governing body of professional sumo. It organizes tournaments, manages rankings, and oversees all aspects of the sport.
The initial charge at the start of a bout. Both wrestlers must spring forward simultaneously from a crouching position with both fists on the ground. The tachiai often determines the outcome.
The straw bales partially buried in the clay that mark the boundary of the dohyo ring. Stepping on or beyond the tawara means a wrestler is out.
A handprint made by a wrestler using ink on a piece of card or fabric, accompanied by their shikona. Tegata are prized collectibles, and only sekitori are permitted to make them.
The specialist hairdressers who style wrestlers' traditional topknot (chonmage) and the more elaborate oicho-mage worn by sekitori.
The daily schedule of bouts. Torikumi is announced the evening before each day of competition and is determined by the matchmakers based on current records and rank.
A rematch ordered when the judges cannot determine a clear winner after a mono-ii conference. The bout is fought again from the start.
A personal attendant assigned to a sekitori wrestler. Lower-ranked wrestlers serve as tsukebito, carrying bags, preparing meals, and assisting with daily tasks.
The thick white rope worn around the waist by a yokozuna during the dohyo-iri ceremony. It weighs around 15 kg and is adorned with zigzag paper strips (shide), resembling a Shinto shrine rope.
Rapid open-palm thrusts to an opponent's chest and face. Tsuppari is a key oshi-zumo technique used to keep the opponent at a distance and off balance.
The announcer who calls wrestlers to the dohyo using a distinctive chanting voice. Yobidashi also perform duties such as building the dohyo, sweeping the ring, and beating the taiko drum.
The highest rank in sumo, meaning 'horizontal rope.' A yokozuna can never be demoted; they are expected to retire if they can no longer compete at the top. Promotion requires consecutive tournament victories or equivalent performance, plus dignity and grace.
An advisory panel of prominent non-sumo figures who recommend yokozuna promotions and may suggest retirement for underperforming yokozuna.
A grappling style of wrestling focused on gaining a grip on the opponent's mawashi with both hands. Yotsu-zumo wrestlers excel at throws, lifts, and close-quarters technique.
The tournament championship, awarded to the wrestler with the best win-loss record. If tied, a playoff (kettei-sen) is held on senshuraku.
A perfect tournament championship with no losses (15-0 in makuuchi). It is a rare and celebrated achievement.