Vocabulary

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

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 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

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