Vocabulary

local wrestler; crowd favorite (favourite)

retirement ceremony of a wrestler where his top-knot is cut

most experienced chanko cook in the sumo stable

chanko restaurant

ceremonious clapping and rubbing of the palms

railroading an opponent straight out of the ring

horse native to Hokkaido

wrestler's active career

waiting place for a wrestler beside the ring

opening ceremony for the new ring in a stable

ceremony to purify the ring before the start of a tournament

wrestler's belt used in a bout

(ease of) handling; operation; maneuverability

clothes a wrestler wears when he has his belt on

hand touching the ground resulting in direct loss

walking with bent knees to strengthen thighs and improve balance

pushing up with hands under opponent's armpits; armpit push

drumming at the end of the day of wrestling inviting spectators to return tomorrow

stance with legs in an L-shape, with one leg bent in front and other extended behind (martial arts, traditional theater)

arrival of the wrestlers to the tournament venue

allowance for non-salaried wrestlers during tournaments

waiting wrestler's sitting cushion

table of rankings

rank-deciding committee

bales forming the steps to climb onto the ring

collision; bumping into

head-to-head training; drill consisting of pushing and being pushed; battering practice

regular matches in an official tournament

leap up from the initial charge in order to surprise the opponent

extreme leg-stretching exercise to increase flexibility of the crotch

pushing against the wooden pole in practice

training matches where the winner picks his next opponent

Tochinishiki and Wakanohana I (dominant 1950s yokozuna)

era at the end of 1970s dominated by grand champion Wajima and ozeki Takanohana

era at the turn of 1960s into 70s dominated by grand champions Kitanofuji and Tamanoumi

era during mid-1970s dominated by grand champions Wajima and Kitanoumi

era during mid-1990s dominated by grand champions Akebono and Takanohana II

era during 1960s dominated by grand champions Taiho and Kashiwado

era during early 1900s dominated by the grand champions Hitachiyama and Umegatani II

era during the 1950s dominated by grand champions Tochinishiki and Wakanohana I