Ōzumo is the professional Japanese form of sumo. Two rikishi meet in a raised ring (dohyō); the bout is decided the moment one leaves the ring or touches the ground with anything but the soles of his feet.
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How is Sumo played?
After rituals such as scattering salt, the rikishi start from a crouch at the shikiri-sen. A single bout has no fixed time limit and ends with a recognised winning technique (kimarite) or a rule violation.
What are the rules of Sumo?
The bout is decided as soon as a rikishi leaves the ring or touches the ground with any part of the body other than the soles of his feet.
Punching, eye attacks, kicking and hair-pulling are forbidden.
The six divisions, from the top down, are makuuchi, jūryō, makushita, sandanme, jonidan and jonokuchi.
Within makuuchi the ranks are yokozuna, ōzeki, sekiwake, komusubi and maegashira; yokozuna is the highest.
Makuuchi rikishi fight once on each of the 15 tournament days; the best record wins, and a play-off settles a tie.
What equipment do you need for Sumo?
The mawashi is worn. The ceremony includes the shikiri, the scattering of salt and the tachiai.
How long does a game of Sumo last?
Six honbasho a year of 15 days each: January, March, May, July, September and November.
What is special about Sumo?
The rank of yokozuna is never lost through a poor tournament record; a yokozuna can only leave it by retiring.