Vocabulary

pomade; pomatum; hair oil

loss by default; default

highest ranked wrestler in a stable

chart used to keep track of a wrestler's records during the tournament

waiting wrestler's sitting cushion

wrestler waiting his turn by the ring

bales forming the edge of the ring

bales forming the edge of the ring

4 bales on the edge of the ring set slightly back

bales forming the outer rim of the ring

4 corner bales on the outer rim of the sumo ring

practice session where grand champion is present

mental characteristics expected of a grand champion

grand champion filling the rank of champion to keep their number at 2

grand champion considered to be truly great, usually with over 10 makuuchi tournament wins

Yokozuna Deliberation Committee; body that recommends promotion of wrestlers to grand champions

putting on the tsuna

ceremony of tsuna-making

surprise victory; upset; coup

first ring-entering ceremony of the newly promoted grand champion, performed at Meiji shrine

Unryū style of grand champion's ring-entering ceremony

Shiranui style of grand champion's ring-entering ceremony

former grand champion's 60th birthday ring-entering ceremony

former grand champion's 60th birthday ring-entering ceremony

green tassel hung above the northeast corner of the ring

white tassel hung above the southwest corner of the ring

red tassel hung above the southeast corner of the ring

four tassels hung above the ring

four posts that used to support the roof over the ring

coach associated with another coach's stable

coach who owns his own stable

coach announcing the winner and winning technique

rented coaching stock

temporary coaching status for a retired wrestler

coach without a special assignment within the Sumo Association

special coaching stock awarded to retired grand champion

ritual stomping in unison on the final day of a tournament

basket for salt by the ring

salt-throwing ceremony before the sumo bout

salt thrown to purify the ring before a bout