Tenacity and Tradition

Sumo consists of a deep tradition, with a history over a thousand years in the making. While it likely originated as a form of ritual dance, in the 1600s it became a way for fighters to showcase their strength in more formal competitions. The rules are simple – a fighter must either force his opponent out of the ring or get any part of the opponent’s body to touch the ground. There are a few prohibited moves – eye gouging, hitting with closed fists, hair pulling, choking – but just about anything else goes. While the match itself may be simple, sumo is enveloped in pageantry. From the hand clapping to signal to the gods, the leg stomping to ward off any bad spirits, and the throwing of salt to cleanse the ring, each ceremonial element adds to the spectacle. In Japanese, a “honbasho” is an official sumo tournament, distinguished from the unofficial events that take place throughout the year. January 8th was the first night of the first of six official tournaments for 2023, and it was my introduction to what is considered the national sport of Japan. As if I didn’t stand out from the crowd enough just on appearance, I went to step up into my tiny box at Kokugikan Stadium in Tokyo only to be reminded that I needed to remove my shoes. Instead of giving me a glare, the couple to my right tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I liked yakitori. It only took a quick nod before they were handing over a box of chicken skewers that they had just purchased from a vendor. Soon after, the couple to our left presented me with an event program and began walking me through each of the pages to ensure I could follow along with the fights that were taking place. I was no longer an outsider – I was a guest. With this project, I sought to highlight not only the action of the bouts, but the ceremonial and cultural aspects of sumo.