NIPPONIA

NIPPONIA No.31 December 15, 2004

The names of the highest ranking rikishi are at the top with others below, in descending order. The higher the rank, the bigger the writing. About 700 rikishi are listed. Some of the names of the lowest ranking rikishi are shown in the circle. Their names are written so small on the sign that we had to blow up the photo to make them readable.

The yokozuna dohyo iri ceremony is performed by a yokozuna (highest ranking wrestler). The ceremony, which is performed in either the unryu or the shiranui style, expresses the ideal of sumo. The photo shows the unryu style.

Shio-maki (left): After they mount the dohyo, the rikishi grab a handful of salt from a pile in the corner and toss it in a rough-and-tough manner onto the ground. Some rikishi develop their own mannerisms for throwing the salt, and this gives the fans one more thing to enjoy.
Shiko (right): Before competing they perform a warm-up stomping exercise. With hands on knees, the rikishi spread their legs wide, lift one leg high, stamp it down hard, and then repeat with the other leg.

Far left: The gyoji referee needs a sharp eye and a cool head to decide the winner when the outcome is not clear-cut. When a yokozuna competes, the match is refereed by the highest ranking gyoji. In the match in the photo, the tate-gyoji was Kimura Shonosuke the 31st.
Left: When it is time for the next two rikishi to climb up to the ring to compete, the yobidashi announcer calls out their names in a sing-song voice.

NIPPONIA