Vocabulary

rule prohibiting match-ups between wrestlers from the same stable

individual championship system

travel allowance paid to salaried wrestlers for tournaments held outside Tokyo

allowance paid by the Sumo Association to a coach for each wrestler in his stable

winning wrestler who remains ringside in case his involvement is needed in pre-bout rituals

foot throwing techniques

pulling techniques

twisting techniques

falling techniques

physically exceptional wrestler promoted straight to champion rank during Edo period

rankings written on paper

fund-raising tournaments (during the Edo period)

strong push with only one hand

exhibition match held at a wrestler's retirement ceremony

playoff match to determine promotion and relegation (played between bottom-ranked teams of the higher division and top-ranked teams of the lower division)

sumo performed as part of Shinto harvest festivities

stepping out of the ring while carrying the opponent over the edge, not considered as a loss

association of salaried wrestlers

wrestlers with the same win-loss record at the end of a tournament

newly recruited wrestlers in the first round of presentation after mae-zumo

newly recruited wrestlers in the second round of presentation after mae-zumo

newly recruited wrestlers in the third round of presentation after mae-zumo

seats closest to the ring; ringside seat

sumo performed at ancient Japanese imperial court

sacred items buried in the ring during its ritual purification

comic sumo performance

hand motion indicating gratitude

red sea bream (i.e. the tai, Pagrus major)

section of Kodenmachō Prison (in Edo) used for holding high-ranking prisoners awaiting trial

gait; manner of walking; footwork (e.g. in sport)

pushing the opponent with the torso

ring entering ceremony in presence of the emperor or crown prince

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