Database: Sumo

Sumo is a form of bare-handed combat between two face-to-face combatants and can be linked to other forms of wrestling known in Mongolia or Korea. The winner will have made his opponent touch the ground or expelled him from the circular space formed by the dohyō, the space delimited for the fight.

Sumo combat was first reported in the 8th century imperial chronicles where they noted bare-handed fights practiced by deities. During the ancient period, sumo matches were organized in honor of the gods, for a ritual festival, or a court ceremony. As a result, the fights took place inside the sanctuary or even the imperial palace. The fighters were strong men but were not professionals.

As warriors emerged sumo became a training exercise between bushi. It could also be a game where, on occasion, warriors threw challenges at one another. In these instances, fights took place outdoors, usually in a meadow or cleared place without any sacred connotations. The circle itself was formed by the spectators.

From the 15th century onwards, sumo became popular and it was during this time period that the dohyō appeared. These fights were often organized through patronage of a sanctuary in order to raise funds (kanjin-zumo).

The fights organized by Oda Nobunaga brought together a large number of fighters. These events did not have a direct connection to religion despite being organized at Jōraku-ji near Azuchi Castle. Considering the large number of combatants it is probable there were several dohyō. On this occasion, the wrestlers were divided for the first time into two teams, East and West.

Modern sumo is the heir of the sumo practiced during the Edo period. It was in this period where sumo became a frequent spectacle and wrestlers were affiliated with the stables where they trained. In the 18th century, rules were developed that established a wrestler's rank and the publication of those rankings (banzuke). Additionally, names were attributed to the different ways of fighting and defeating one's opponent.