Vocabulary

sumo-themed song; song sung at sumo events

writing style used to write the rankings

writing style used to write the rankings

second grade; second step; second rank; second story; second dan; second level

30 highest ranked makushita wrestlers

very successful amateur wrestler, allowed to start professional career in makushita division

wrestler newly promoted to juryo division

wrestler newly promoted to makuuchi division

wrestler newly promoted to a san'yaku rank

wrestler newly promoted to ozeki rank

wrestler newly promoted to grand champion

wrestler re-promoted to juryo division

wrestler re-promoted to makuuchi division

former ozeki-ranked wrestler returning to that rank

former san'yaku-ranked wrestler returning to that rank

wrestler who keeps going up and down the rankings

illustrated rankings

large wooden boards listing rankings hung, outside tournament venues

university amateur champion

sand circle around the ring

purple curtain on the hanging roof above the ring

children's sumo

champion of children's sumo

outdoor practice

drums sounded in the morning to draw the crowds to a match

drumming style used to announce bouts

cross-grips (situation in which each rikishi has an underarm grip on the other)

portrait of a tournament winner

wrestling performed in imperial presence

wrestling performed in the presence of the empress or crown prince

wrestler's favourite (favorite) grip on the belt

final cut severing a wrestler's top-knot in his retirement ceremony

return to tournament after temporary absence

quitting the tournament in progress due mostly to injury

conservative calligraphy style used to write rankings

slapping hands in front of the opponent's face to confuse him

a row of training matches with the same opponent

hairdressing of a wrestler's top-knot

rule allowing the clear winner of a bout to touch down first to avoid injury

win of a low-ranked wrestler in the extra eighth bout in the tournament