Updated February 14th, 2005.
Copyright © 2001-2005 Juhani Sirkiä & Mikko Mattila.
Feedback to
administrator@sumoforum.net.
Special thanks to Jelena Macan (alias Manekineko-zeki)
and Endo Yuko (alias Amanogawa) for helping to remove errors from the glossary.
aaa-dosukoi-dosukoi(-to), chorus of sumo jinku, "to" in the end is often ignored
abarenbo, hooligan; thankfully very rare species in an ozumo audience
Abi, nickname of sekiwake Terao
abise, elimination or attempt thereof of aite's attempt of tsuri by turning one's weight towards him; part of some kimarite
abiseru, v. to inundate, to pour on, see abisetaoshi
abisetaoshi, backward force down, kimarite where the attacker will force his aite over backwards by throwing his weight into the aite from a grappling position
abunai yokozuna, yokozuna who has committed a make-koshi in the last honbasho; abunai as such means dangerous, uncertain, unreliable, unstable
Adachi-ku, district of Tokyo where Tamanoi-beya is located
agaridan, ten recesses (three at each quarter except northern side where there is but one) on the dohyo side that are used by the rikishi, gyoji, yobidashi and shimpan to mount onto the dohyo, see fumi-dawara
agari-zashiki, elevated area in heya's practice room (keikoba) on which oyakata and prospective guests sit and follow keiko
agedawara, four corner tawara of the outer square of the dohyo, see joubu-dawara
Ageishi, presumably a heya which is no longer active
agemaki, small fusa resembling knots attached to the middle of mizuhikimaku according to the cardinal points; follow the colours of
fusa clockwise and lift mizuhikimaku closer to the lower edge of tsuriyane
ageru, v., to lift
aibeya, a torikumi between two do-beya in a kettei-sen or tomoe-sen situation, see heya-betsu so-atari, ichimon-betsu so-atari
ai-boshi, two or more rikishi who after hon-wari have the same number of shiroboshi, see yusho-doten
Aichi, prefecture
Aichi Kenritsu Taikukan, arena where the Nagoya Basho is held in early July; capacity 8002 spectators
Aichi-ken, see Aichi Kenritsu Taikukan
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, English name of the arena (Aichi Kenritsu Taikukan) where Nagoya Basho is held in early July
aikido, Japanese self-defence sport influenced by sumo, see judo
aikuchi, eccentric taisen seiseki between two particular rikishi; especially one that doesn't conform to success during their respective careers, see aikuchi ga ii, aikuchi ga warui
aikuchi ga ii, rikishi's ability to often win a particular aite, compare with aikuchi ga warui, see nigate
aikuchi ga warui, rikishi's continuous problem in winning a particular aite, compare with aikuchi ga ii, see nigate
aite, opponent in a torikumi;
aite in Japanese doesn't refer solely to opponent/enemy as it is used in context
of sharing something; for example hanashi-aite (the one you converse with),
kekkon-aite (the one you are married to)
ai-yotsu, torikumi held between two rikishi who favour the same mawashi grip, either hidariyotsu or migiyotsu, and the grip of four hands that easily develops when both rikishi aim
for and succeed in securing their favourite grips on each other's mawashi, compare with kenka-yotsu, sashite-arasoi, see yotsu-zumo
Ajigawa, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-yokozuna Asahifuji, located in Koto-ku
aka-busa, red decorative knot (fusa) that hangs above southeastern corner of dohyo symbolizing the red reacock Suzaku and summer, see ao-busa, shiro-busa, kuro-busa, Shujaku
akabusa-shita, southeastern corner of dohyo
akachan dohyo-iri, dohyo-iri where instructor keeps a small child in his lap
akachan-zumo, see naki-zumo
aka-tai, red delicious and bony perch given to the (makuuchi saiko) yusho winner in the triumph after honbasho; symbolizes luck and is therefore a common festive delicacy
Akasaka, the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, apparently also known as Chiyoda
akeni, strong red-black-green decorated
bamboo box (size 30-35 * 45-50 * 80-85 cm) consisting of two
interlocking parts which are strengthened with angle irons, boarded
with handmade washi and lacquered with urushi; weighs about 10 kg when empty and about 30 kg when fully loaded by the tsukebito; used by the sekitori and gyoji of at least juryo-kaku rank whose shikona is painted in large letters onto the sides to hold their most important equipment (mawashi, kesho-mawashi, change clothes, towels, snacks, drink bottles, books etc.) during the jungyo; shin-juryo's first akeni is donated to him by those members of his dokisei who still are active in ozumo; nowadays akeni are produced by a single artisan in Kyoto, see shibugami, furoshiki
Ake-Taka, era during the mid-1990's dominated by the yokozuna Akebono and Takanohana II, see Rin-Ko, Tochi-Waka, Haku-Ho, Ki-Rin, Kita-Tama, jidai
aki, autumn, see fuyu, natsu, haru
Aki Basho, honbasho held at Kokugikan in September
Akita, prefecture
amano, ozumo slang for a joke, originally a Meiji era rikishi famous for his anecdotes
ama-rikishi, amateur sumotori
Amaterasu, see Ama-terasu-Oh-mi-kami
Ama-terasu-Oh-mi-kami, sun goddess, the highest god of shinto to whom is
dedicated the Ise-jingu shrine where all the yokozuna and riji visit annually
ama-yokozuna, very successful amateur senshu, an amateur sumo "yokozuna"
amazumo, amateur sumo
Amenominakanushi no kami, one of three gods to whom a rikishi shows his appreciation after winning a torikumi, see Takamimusubi no kami, Kamimusubi no kami, tegatana o kiru
amiuchi, the fisherman's throw, kimarite where the attacker will throw his aite behind him by pulling the aite's
arm with both hands while twisting backwards; the technique resembles
the traditional way of casting a Japanese fishing net; hence the name
ani-deshi, "elder brother", do-beya who has come to heya earlier, rikishi of higher rank, at least of sandanme, compare with otooto-deshi
anko, see anko-gata
anko-gata, rikishi of buxom build with high percentage of body fat, compare with soppu-gata
annai-jo, side entrance (of Ryogoku Kokugikan)
ao, colour that is not easily understood by a westerner, usually either green or blue but might even be grey, see ao-busa which might erroneously be called blue in some context
ao-busa, green decorative knot (fusa) that hangs above northeastern corner of dohyo symbolizing the green dragon Seiryu and spring, see aka-busa, shiro-busa, kuro-busa
aobusa-shita, northeastern corner of dohyo
Aomori, prefecture
appa, ozumo slang for wife (of your own)
aragushi
Araiso, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki ichimon and is lead by moto-komusubi Futagodake, located in Kunitachi-shi
Araiwa, historic todori of Osaka-Zumo without apparent counterpart in Nihon Sumo Kyokai, compare with Fujishima, Inagawa
Arakawa, see Arakida
Arakawa-ku, district of Tokyo where Kiriyama-beya and Musashigawa-beya are located
Arakida, locality where the clay from banks of Arakawa river in Saitama prefecture that was traditionally used to construct the dohyo at honbasho arenas was
dug, see also Ibaraki where (Tsukuba Gakuen area) the clay used nowadays comes from
arashi, storm
ara-shio, coarse marine salt, see kiyome-jiro, shio-kago
Arashio, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze ichimon, established in the summer 2002 and lead by moto-komusubi Ohyutaka, located in Chuo-ku
arasoi, contest for yusho; list of rikishi leading honbasho and their respective kuroboshi so far
aratame, expression used in banzuke to indicate a shikona change, e.g. Fictinohana (old shikona) aratame Imaginoumi (new shikona), see kaimei
areru, v., to storm, to get angry
Areru Haru Basho, "stormy basho", term sometimes used about Haru Basho in Osaka indicating the startling results often taking place there
Areru Osaka Basho, "stormy basho", term sometimes used about Haru Basho in Osaka indicating the startling results often taking place there
Arima, heya which is no longer active
Asagaya, locality, connection to sumo unknown as of this writing
asageiko, morning keiko
Asahi, brewery whose expedient bottles are used by the yobidashi to revise the dohyo
Asahiyama, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-ozeki Daiyu, located in Koto-ku; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
asajiki, see masu-seki
Asakayama, myoseki which belongs to Taiho-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
ashi, foot
ashi-barai, lift of aite's foot from the dohyo with a grip on his ham used in few kimarite, see watashi
ashihakobi, way of moving on the dohyo characteristic to rikishi in an effort to keep the center of gravity as low as possible
ashika, sea lion, nickname of moto-yokozuna Asahifuji Seiya
ashikuse, waza based on tripping an aite such as susoharai and sotogake; term has a slight connotation of curiosity, also treading with one's feet bent 45 degrees outwards (?), see ashi-waza, suri-ashi
ashitori, leg pick, kimarite, similar to a technique of the same name found in both amateur and professional wrestling in which the attacker takes his aite down by grabbing and lifting aite's leg with both hands
ashi-waza, collective term for waza applied to aite's legs
atama, head, see zu
atama wo tsukeru, v., to suppress aite's forward movement or attempt thereof by pressing one's head into his chest, compare with kuisagari
atari, rikishi's ability to uphold his will of winning and initiative during a torikumi;
also the impact at the tachi-ai; hard atari is very impressive sight in ozumo.
ato-tatemitsu, rear vertical part of mawashi; in amateur sumo it's presumably against rules to grab it resulting in disqualification and kuroboshi, see yoko-mitsu, mae-mitsu, mae-tatemitsu
Atsuta, shrine where the three treasures (sword, jewel & mirror) given by the sun goddess to the first Emperor are said to be kept
a-un no kokyu, success of the rikishi in synchronizing their breathing rhythms before the beginning of the torikumi, bordering on telepathy
azukari, relatively usual historical practice to announce torikumi unresolved in a situation where it was impossible to know with any certainty which rikishi had won the torikumi; nowadays a torinaoshi will be arranged in such a situation, several times if needed
azuki, small red peas
azuma, see higashi
Azumazeki, heya which belongs to Takasago-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Takamiyama, located in Sumida-ku
baiten, salespoints in Kokugikan, see chaya
ban, sumobout, see torikumi
Bankazu mo torisusumimashitaru tokoro, kataya <shikona 1>, konata <shikona 2>, kono sumo ichiban nite, honjitsu no uchidome, tategyoji's announcement to the audience that the torikumi about to begin is the last one of the tournament day, see next term
Bankazu mo torisusumimashitaru tokoro, kataya <shikona 1>, konata <shikona 2>, kono sumo ichiban nite, senshuraku (ni gozarimasu), tategyoji's announcement to the audience that the torikumi about to begin is the last one of the honbasho; ni gozarimasu is sometimes omitted, see previous term
banzai, lit. "Long live!", traditionally banzai yell is performed three times by the supporters of yusho winning rikishi after the honbasho when the rikishi poses for the media
banzen, perfection; apparently impeccability of a sumo technique
banzuke, an official calligraphy which determines the ranking of the rikishi, nowadays written by makuuchi-kaku Shikimori Toshihiro, published every two months usually on Monday thirteen days prior to the beginning of honbasho, see ita-banzuke, ebanzuke, Nen-Matsu-Nen-Shi
banzuke-gai, "outsider from the list", rikishi whose shikona is not yet included in the banzuke, see maezumo, shindeshi, makushita tsukedashi, kyakuseki, besseki
banzuke-hensei, creation of a new banzuke
banzuke hensei iinkai, see banzuke hensei kaigi
banzuke hensei kaigi, banzuke deciding kyokaicommittee (and its meetings)
banzuke hensei yakuinkai, see banzuke hensei kaigi
banzukehyo, see banzuke
bariki, "horse power", ozumo slang for alcohol
basho, long jungyo, often used interchangeably but erroneously with honbasho
basho-buton, sekitori's zabuton on which a hikae-rikishi sits while waiting for his torikumi to take place, brought to its place by sekitori's tsukebito
basho-iri, the arrival of rikishi, especially that of sekitori, to the honbasho arena
basho teate, sort of a fee paid to deshi every other month during a honbasho
basyo, another transcribing form of basho
Beikoku, United States of America
bento, lunchbox which along with its contents is included at least to the price of masu-seki tickets
besseki, temporary rikishi rank of the early 1930s, related to the upheaval of rebellious movement lead by sekiwake Tenryu, see Osaka Sumo Kyokai
bessuseki, see besseki
betsuseki, see besseki
beya, spelling form of the word heya, used when the word is preceded by another word, for instance the name of heya (heya, Futagoyama-beya)
bikkuri bikutori, surprise victory in a torikumi
binbou-gami, "god of poverty", two highest ranking rikishi in the juryo division, compare with maegashira hitto
bintsuke, fragrant camomile oil used for dressing rikishis' hair, see tokoyama, oh-ichoh-mage, chonmage, ginkgo
bofu, see boke
bojin, former word for rikishi that isn't used any more
boke, Mongolian form of grappling where victory is achieved by using different types of throwing and kicking techniques, resembles sumo in some ways, Kyokushuzan was a boke champion before entering ozumo, see ssirum
bonen-kai, festive season of the turn of the year, see Nen-Matsu-Nen-Shi
bosozoku, Japanese hobby of trimming up motorcycles, came more into public awareness when Chiyotaikai-zeki was promoted to ozeki, this hobby also has somewhat notorious reputation
box seki, box at Kokugikan, constituted by four Western style chairs and a round table, located behind massu-zeki seats looking from the dohyo, see isu-seki, tachi-seki, tamari-seki, jiyu-seki, sunakaburi
bu, tenth of a sun, ca. 3 mm, see shaku, rin, jyoo
buchi, an expression which strengthens the following word
buchikamashi, hard collision with aite at tachiai
bucho, amateur coach
bucho, oyakata acting at high level in kyokai, elected for fixed period at a time having specific areas of responsibility, compare with riji
buh, see boke
Bungei-Shunju, one of the biggest monthlies in Japan
Bunkyo-ku, district of Tokyo where Kabutoyama-beya is located
buraku, pariah class of Japanese society
of about one to three million people, developed of practisioners of
despised occupations like butchers and washers of corpses during
Tokugawa Shogunate and their successors; still seems to be a
sort of taboo amongst regular Japanese
busa, see fusa
bushido, see sumodo
butsudan, Buddhist home altar, see kamidana
butsudan-gaeshi, rare term for the kimarite of yobimodoshi
butsukari-geiko, a form a practise where the attacking rikishi charges towards the defending rikishi who tries to stop the attacker on his tracks before he is able to push him over the tawara; the losing rikishi leaves the dohyo and takes his place at the far end of the queue and the winner becomes the defending rikishi or in case winner was the defending rikishi the first rikishi of the queue replaces the lost attacking rikishi and charges towards the defender, see mune wo dasu, mune wo kariru, mune wo kasu
Byakko, see shiro-busa
chahan
-chan, suffix added to the names of children, pets and close friends, see -sama, -san, -zeki, -kun, -oyakata
chanko, meal of chankonabe; also former word for the chanko-cho
chanko-ban, often relatively experienced and low ranking rikishi responsible for preparing chanko often under the guidance of okamisan, see ryokan
chanko-cho, the most experienced and skilled chanko-ban, a kind of chief cook of heya, see ryokan, okamisan
chanko-hako, box used on jungyo catered for in shifts by groups of young rikishi where chanko cauldron and other equipment related to preparation of chanko were kept
chankonabe, traditional sumo dish cooked in a large pot eaten with rice and beer; exact composition varies according to heya traditions and seasons, see chanko
chanko-ya, chanko restaurant often owned by a former rikishi, compare with ryokan, izakaya
chaya, teahouses in Kokugikan's north side part of which are owned by okamisan whose staff caters for most of the masu-seki seats
Chiba, prefecture
Chiba, native city of Matsugane-, Naruto-, Onomatsu- and Sadogatake-beya
chibiko-zumo, apparently synonym of kodomo-zumo
Chiganoura, heya which is no longer active
Chiganoura, myoseki which belongs to Kasugano-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
chiho-basho, honbasho held outside Tokyo, see Haru Basho, Nagoya Basho, Kyushu Basho
chiisana dai-yokuzuna, "small great yokozuna", designation of moto-yokozuna Tochigiyama Moriya (172 cm, 103 kg)
chikara ga hairu, fatigue during torikumi
chikara-gami, "power paper", paper used by the sekitori to cover their mouths when spitting chikara-mizu out, see mizu-oke
chikara-kaju, see chikara-mizu
chikara-kurabe, sumo style in which relatively large-sized rikishi compete favouring yotsu-zumo, literally a contest of strength
chikara-mizu, "power water", ladleful of water offered to the sekitori preparing for his torikumi by the winner of the previous torikumi or, in case the sekitori in his tozai side lost his own torikumi, by the sekitori that is about to participate in the next torikumi after him; spat out before entering the dohyo, see chikara-gami, mizu-oke, mizu-iri
chikara-mizu (w)o tsukeru, term for the whole ritual of taking chikara-mizu into the mouth and spitting it out while covering mouth with chikara-gami and wiping the lips with it
chiri-chozu, clapping the hands together
during the shikiri and rubbing them; comes from times when the wrestlers cleared
the earth they were to wrestle on with their hands
chiri-nabe, historically one of two different main variations of chankonabe, see soppu-daki, mizu-taki
chiri-o-kiru
Chitosegawa, heya which is no longer active
Chiyoda, see Akasaka
chongake, pulling heel hook, kimarite
in which the attacker will hook his heel behind the defender's heel
from the inside (left foot to left foot or right foot to right). As he
pulls that leg towards him, he will grab the defender's arm on the same
side and twist him sideways or backwards into the clay; rare kimarite executed
only be real leg technicians
chonmage, hair-do of the deshi that sekitori wear as well except for official occasions torikumi included, see oh-ichoh-mage, tokoyama, bintsuke
chontachi, when rikishi doesn't place both hands on shikirisen before
tachi-ai
chouzu
chuban, the five middle days of honbasho, see tournament days, joban, shuban, nakabi
chubansen, see chuban
chubon, middleman arranging yaocho, see gachinko, mukiryoku, chusha
chu-butsukari, some kind of practice
chuumon-zumou, sumo that doesn't
turn out to be standard sumo; for example henka against a foe who is "asking for
it" with his actions in the bout (like too much forward leaning sumo at the
tachi-ai)
chuken, senshu who fights second in the three member amateur sumo team, see taisho, senpo
Chuo-ku, district of Tokyo where Arashio-beya is located
chusha, inquiry for arrangement of yaocho; also rikishi that has agreed to lose his torikumi, see gachinko, chubon, mukiryoku
chuumoku-no-ichiban, the most anticipated makuuchi torikumi of a honbasho day, literally "deserving most attention"
cyber rikishi, active sumo enthusiast in the Internet often with a shikona of his or her own and often participates different ozumo related games during honbasho
daigaku, university (not a particular one)
daigappei, jungyo in which all rikishi of at least jonidan rank participate
dai-kan-jo, ceremony held twice annually during Edo-jidai(1603 - 1867) in which Sumo Kaisho paid salaries to oyakata and rikishi using masu as a measuring unit
dai-kinboshi, maegashira's kinboshi against dai-yokozuna
daikon, mild flavoured white radish often used for preparing chankonabe
daimyo, historical regional warlord, see shogun
Dai-Nippon Sumo Kyokai, see Nihon Sumo Kyokai
daisho, collective term for katana and waziyashi, the two swords of a samurai
Dai-Sumo Kansen, annual publication of phenomena close to ozumo like chankonabe restaurants etc.
daito, collective term for swords with length of over two shaku like katana and tachi, see shoto, waziyashi, tanto
Daito-ku, district of Tokyo where Isegahama- and Takasago-beya are located
dai-yokozuna, yokozuna who most often holds the rank of higashi sei-yokozuna; in some contexts the current higashi yokozuna; the best rikishi of his generation, see meijin-yokozuna
daizu, soyabean
damari, see tamari
dan, the more prestigious class of the two overall classes of amateur sumo, divided into subclasses, 1.dan, 2.dan,…, 10.dan which is the highest rank, compare with kyu
danpatsu, short hair, see danpatsu-shiki
danpatsu-shiki, emotional ceremony taking place about half a year after sekitori has withdrawn from active ozumo career, in which his male relatives, representatives of koenkai, fellow sekitori and finally his shisho use golden scissors to cut his oh-ichoh-mage, see tomebasami, haigyo, intai
Dantaisen
dashi, pushing of aite off the dohyo
dashinage, throwing aite without body contact
with a pulling move with a grip on mawashi, see nage
datemochi, see tachimochi
datsuzei, tax evasion; in the context of ozumo especially the scandal which hindered Futagoyama-beya in the middle of the 1990's
Dazaifu, old name for the island of Kyushu
Dazaifu Temmangu, shrine in Fukuoka prefecture dedicated to the god of scholarship Sugawara-no-Michizane believed to be descendant to Sukune
deashi, rikishi's forward motion on the dohyo, especially the first step forcing aite backwards; also rikishi's ability to maintain his balance despite of forward leaning position; danger of becoming prone to henka and therefore hatakikomi, sokubiotoshi, hikiotoshi, okuridashi etc. techniques, see suri-ashi
de-ashi-baya, quick forward movement of the feet, essential for
quality oshi attacks
de-bana
degeiko, training at a heya other than rikishi's own, see keiko, ichimon-geiko, rengogeiko
dekata, functionary of a chaya, literally an usher
dekichatta kekkon, marriage caused by an "accident"; happens also to rikishi sometimes
Dekiyama, heya which is no longer active
Dekiyama, myoseki which belongs to Dewanoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
denkoban, scoreboard
denshamichi-sumo, "railway sumo", rikishi's ability to push his aite backwards and out of the dohyo straight from the tachiai; term
was often used in context of ex-ozeki Dejima
dento, traditions, see kakushiki
deru, v., to advance, to move forward
deshi, rikishi student, young rikishi competing in lower divisions; also a collective term for all rikishi no matter what age who are not sekitori, ie. they compete in makushita division or lower (jonokuchi division being the lowest possible); sometimes term deshi is used for expressing the coach-athlete or teacher-student relationship of a rikishi and his oyakata, in this case deshi can be a rikishi at any rank, compare with shindeshi, toriteki, wakaishu
detai
dezuiri, old expression for yokozuna dohyo-iri, not used nowadays, see gata, shiranui-gata, unryu-gata, kanreki yokozuna dezuiri
Dewanoumi, one of the five ichimon
Dewanoumi, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is led by moto-sekiwake Washuyama, located in Sumida-ku
diet, the parliament of Japan, see Shyugiin
(division), kyokai divides the approximately 800 rikishi in ozumo to six divisions which are, starting from the lowest one, jonokuchi, jonidan, sandanme, makushita, juryo and makuuchi, see maezumo
dou-age, carrying and swinging up of a rikishi about to be promoted to the rank of ozeki or yokozuna on the shoulders of his stablemates once the official news of promotion has arrived in the heya
do-beya, rikishi from the same heya, see kyodai-deshi
doha, edge of the ring
dohyo, when referring to actual tournament dohyo; about 30 tons of weight, 540*540 cm of dimensions and 60 cm of height, made by the yobidashi out of special clay that has some sand in it, a sacred arena under tsuriyane bordered by half-embedded hyo on which the torikumi are fought; sometimes mistaken for the brink of the dohyo circle, the tawara; see Arakawa, Arakida, toku-dawara, kengamine, fumi-dawara, joubu-dawara, kado-dawara, soto-dawara, janome, dohyo matsuri, nijuudohyo
dohyo-biraki, ceremony resembling dohyo-matsuri in which a gyoji blesses the dohyo of a new heya and a yokozuna performs his dohyo-iri
dohyo-damari, eastern and western dohyo flanks where rikishi wait for their torikumi to start
dohyo-iri, presentation ceremony of juryo and makuuchi division sekitori, both tozai sides separately; at the presence of the emperor dohyo-iri is performed differently, see gozengakari; also dohyo-iri performed by active yokozuna at the beginning of every tournament day to purify the dohyo, see dezuiri, unryu-gata, shiranui-gata
dohyo jinsei, life on the dohyo; career as a rikishi
dohyo-jo, see dohyo
dohyo-matsuri, since Natsu Basho 2000 publicly open ceremony at 10 AM on Saturday the day before shonichi where the other tategyoji, one makuuchi-kaku and one juryo-kaku sanctify the dohyo; a square hole of about 15 cm depth is dug at the center of the dohyo and filled with washed rice, nuts of Torreya nucifera tree, salt, calmar, alga and chestnuts (shizumemono)
dohyo mawashi, mawashi used in torikumi, see shimekomi, compare with keiko mawashi, kesho-mawashi
dohyo no oni, literally "demon of
the dohyo", nickname for Wakanohana I for his magnificent fighting spirit and
tenacity on the dohyo
dohyo saho, conduct on the dohyo
dohyougiwa, see kengamine
dojo, historically a coaching ring set up by a still active rikishi that eventually separated to a heya of its own, see nimai-kansatsu
dokisei, rikishi who began their ozumo careers in the same honbasho; literally a classmate, see akeni
dokkoi-sho, yell of appreciation from the audience when yokozuna stamps down during his dohyo-iri ceremony
Dokuhaku, moto-yokozuna Wakanohana Masaru's jiden from the year 2000
donsu, damask, old term for kesho-mawashi
doro-gi, clothes rikishi wear when they have their belt (obi?) on
dosanko, Hokkaidonese, originally word dosanko meant a breed of horse from Hokkaido
dosukoi, sumo exclamation, see aaa-dosukoi-dosukoi-to
dotage
dotai, situation where both rikishi fall or step out of the dohyo practically speaking at the same time and the winner of the torikumi is impossible to be determined, hence a torinaoshi is ordered
dou, a mark used in banzuke to indicate repetitition of a ranking; literally "same"
douki, rikishi belonging to the same dokisei
doumon, rikishi from the same ichimon
doutai, see dotai
doutai tori-naoshi, see torinaoshi
ebanzuke, unofficial illustrated banzuke published by e.g. newspapers
ebisuko ga tsuyoi, rikishi with a cavernous appetite
eboshi, black headwear of the gyoji and shinto priests; literally raven hat
Edagawa, heya which is no longer active
Edagawa, myoseki which belongs to Tokitsukaze-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
Edo, ancient name of Tokyo
Edo-jidai, historical era of 1603 - 1867
Edogawa-ku, district of Tokyo where Isenoumi-, Kagamiyama-, Nakamura-, Oitekaze-, Takadagawa-
and Takashima-beya are located
edokko, true Tokyoite
Ehime, prefecture
Ekoin, Buddhist temple in the neighbourhood of the original Kokugikan built in 1909; honbashos took place on its area during 1808-1906, see Josetsukan
engishiki, wooden figures of sumo wrestlers, thousand years old
enka, traditional Japanese music style
erebeta-rikishi, "elevator rikishi" who tends to achieve kachi-koshi among those generally weaker than him only to get promoted higher to a rank where he tends to succumb to make-koshi among those generally stronger than him; effect is more pronounced when there are division changes involved
ESU, European Sumo Union
Ezo, historical name for Hokkaido
fan ni shitsurei, "disrespectful to fans", expression used for rikishi's shunned methods of trying to win a torikumi; often used for a henka committed by a high ranking rikishi
fuchima
fugu, delicious but poisonous fish; it is forbidden to use fugu as an ingredient in chankonabe but it is nevertheless used sometimes due to its amazingly delicious taste
fu-iri, "not entering", lack of audience
Fujigane, heya which is no longer active
Fujigane, myoseki which belongs to Kagamiyama-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Fujisaki, heya which is no longer active
Fujisawa, one of the basho
Fujishima, heya which is no longer active; merged with Futagoyama-beya; the original heya of Hanada yokozuna brothers
Fujishima, myoseki which belongs to Futagoyama-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo that later changed into Oshima
fujomake, unravelment of mawashi during torikumi and the resulting kuroboshi, see isamiashi, koshikudake, morodashi
Fukagawa, area in Koto-ku where Tomioka Hachimangu is located
Fukui, prefecture
fuku-kaicho, vice chairman (of koenkai or Yokozuna shingi iinkai), see kaicho, iincho
Fukuoka, city on the island of Kyushu, host city of honbasho in November
Fukuoka, prefecture
Fukuoka International Center, English name of the arena of November's honbasho
Fukuoka Kokusai Sentaa, Japanese name of the arena of November's honbasho
Fukuoka Kokusai Sentaa, arena where the Kyushu Basho is held in November; capacity 8891 spectators
Fukushima, prefecture
fukutategyoji, the less prestigious gyoji of the two highest ranked gyoji (tategyoji),
rank established in 1951; recognised from the costume's purple-white shibusa knots, see Shikimori Inosuke, Kimura Shonosuke
fukutateyobidashi, second (and sometimes also third) highest ranking yobidashi
Fumareta mugi wa tsuyoku naru, moto-ozeki Kirishima Kazuhiro's 228-page jiden from 1996, translated into French; literally a proverb "wheat that gets stepped on grows stronger"
fumidashi, rear step out, one of five situations in which a rikishi can win a torikumi without actually initiating a kimarite; situation where the defending rikishi
accidentally steps back over the edge without the attacker initiating
any kind of technique; most likely to happen when the defender is
getting ready to launch a counterattack from that position; recorded
outside official listing of winning techniques and introduced with the
2001 winning technique list expansion, see isamiashi, okuriashi, tsukite, tsukihiza, koshikudake
fumi-dawara, ten tawara of the agaridan on the dohyo edge
fumikomi, efficient and stable forward motion at the tachiai, see buchikamashi, deashi
fumikoshi, former and unofficial expression for fumidashi
fumu, stamping the foot on the ground in shiko
Funabashi-shi, district of Chiba where Matsugane-beya is located
funbari, rikishi's ability to hold his ground on the dohyo despite his aite's attempts to move him
funbari ga ii, rikishi with good funbari
funbari ga warui, rikishi with bad funbari
funbaru, v., to hold one's ground against aite's attempts
fundoshi, traditional Japanese underwear; an unofficial expression for mawashi; also worn under kesho-mawashi
fundoshi-katsugi, mockery but in a well-meaning way; expression for the heya's lowest ranking rikishi who in addition to his own also takes care of his do-beyas' mawashi; sometimes the term is used for general word for all the rikishi in two (?) lowest divisions
funori, alga whose extract is used to stiffen sekitori's sagari
fure, ancient term for the yobidashi, see nanori
fure-daiko, the procedure of yobidashi where
they play special taiko rhytms while walking around the dohyo 3 times after
dohyo-matsuri and then out onto the streets to announce and advertise the
beginning of the honbasho; also the special
taiko-rhytms see yose-daiko, taiko, yagura
furigana, way of writing small hiragana or occasionally katakana syllable marks next to difficult kanji characters so that also the ones who don't yet know kanji
well enough can understand the text; with proper nouns furigana is used
to make sure that the name is interpreted correctly by people who
master kanji since even they can't always be sure how the kanji of a name is exactly read
Furitsukaikan, see Osaka Furitsu Taiikukan
Furiwake, heya which is no longer active
Furiwake, myoseki which belongs to Takasago-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
furo, see ofuro
furoba, bathroom into which rikishi go after keiko in the order of their rank
to soak in bath, see ofuro
furoshiki, a big square-shaped cloth that at one time was substitute for akeni, senshuraku excluded
furumai-nabe
fusa, decorative knots of different colours, length of 230 cm and weight of 25 kg, hanging from the corners of tsuriyane according to intercardinal points; symbolising four seasons and four gods who protect the inviolability of the dohyo; until 1952 tsuriyane was held up by the shihon-bashira; grammatically correct form of the word is fusa which changes to busa when a prefix is added, see aka-busa, ao-busa, kuro-busa, shiro-busa, mizuhikimaku, agemaki
fusen, cancelled torikumi due to absence of the other rikishi, see fusenpai, fusensho
fusempai, see fusenpai
fusenhai, see fusenpai
fusenpai, kuroboshi in torikumi due to inability to show up usually because of an injury, see fusensho, shutsujo
fusensho, shiroboshi in torikumi due to aite's injury (usually) in previous day's torikumi and hence his inability to show up to wrestle
Futabayama, heya (or dojo?) which is no longer active;
also legendary yokozuna
Futa factor, in some people's opinion unfair advantage to rikishi who have many strong and high-ranking do-beya and hence benefit from heya-betsu so-atari rule for not having to fight against each other with an exception of kettei-sen and tomoe-sen; on the other hand heya-betsu so-atari also has the opposite effect (jiriki); named after the strongest heya of the 1990's, Futagoyama (yokozuna Takanohana and Wakanohana, ozeki Takanonami and often other sanyaku ranking rikishi), see torikumi hensei yoryo, Magaki effect
Futagoyama, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Takanohana, located in Edogawa-ku, see Fujishima
futaketa, double digit (at least ten shiroboshi or kuroboshi) record in honbasho, essential for example when granting sansho awards
futokoro-ga-fukai, rikishi with deep armpits, long reach, long limbs and good flexibility, it is harder than on average to move or throw rikishi with these characteristics
futon, pad spread on tatami
futsuka-me, second day of honbasho, see tournament days
fuyu, winter, see aki, haru, natsu
Fuyu Basho, see Hatsu Basho
gabburi-yori, pushing aite backwards with one's torso
(basically stomach) while both rikishi have a grip on each other's mawashi
gachinko, rikishi who refuses to take part in preorchestrated torikumi, see yaocho, chubon, mukiryoku, chusha
gaijin, foreign, non-Japanese, see nihonjin
gaikokujin, more polite form of gaijin
gairaigo, loanwords in Japanese language
gaito, cloak worn over kimono
gake, see kake
gakusei rikishi, student rikishi; apparently one of university level
gakusei yokozuna, "amateur yokozuna", university champion of which many (most?) move onto ozumo and are allowed to debut at the rank of makushita tsukedashi
gaman, patience (to wait for aite's mistake), self control, stamina
gaman suru, v. to be patient, see gaman
gambare, see gambatte
gambatte, encouragement shouts from the audience
ganbarimasu, "I will do my best.", rikishi's almost automatic persuasion in an interview how he will do his best in the coming torikumi
ganbaru, ability to give one's best even in the most adverse situations
gappuri-yotsu, see ai-yotsu
gasshohineri, clasped hand twist down, kimarite
which can be done from a one hand inside, one hand outside grip but
would more commonly be used when the attacker has achieved a double
inside grip. From this position, the attacker would clasp his hands
behind the defender's back and twist him down and over. Gasshohineri
was also called tokkurinage but that
technique name is now used for a variation that has become one of the
12 techniques added in the 2001 winning technique list expansion.
Gasshuku, practice camp
gata, two different styles of yokozuna dohyo-iri ceremony, see shiranui-gata, unryu-gata, kanreki yokozuna dezuiri
gedan, lower body
gekirei-kai, feast arranged by a heya to celebrate new deshi
gekkyu, basic allowance of rikishi that is usually a relatively small part of his total income
gen, expression most closely translatable to luck; believing in not changing routines in preparing for the torikumi unless there's a good reason to attempt changing one's fortunes, see gen o katsugu, gen-naoshi
gen ga ii, gen is good
gen ga warui, gen is bad
gen o katsugu, keeping gen on one's side during a winning streak by for example ignoring shaving, compare with gen-naoshi
Genbu, see kuro-busa
genkan, porch where outdoor shoes are changed to indoor shoes
genki, rikishi in good shape, see tsuyoi, compare with yowai
genki ja nai, not genki
gen-naoshi, reversing adverse gen to advantageous one by for example changing the colour of the mawashi, praying
to kami-sama, shaving thoroughly, changing the sagari, washing old bintsuke off thoroughly and ultimately by changing one's shikona, compare with gen o katsugu
geta, Japanese wooden sandals worn by the toriteki, see tabi, zori, compare with setta
Gifu, prefecture
gimboshi, see ginboshi
ginboshi, "silver star", officially meaningless shiroboshi by a rikishi ranked below komusubi over an ozeki in a honbasho torikumi, see kinboshi
ginkgo, maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) whose leaf sekitoris' oh-ichoh-mage hairstyle resembles, see chonmage, tokoyama, bintsuke
gino-sho, technique award, the most prestigious sansho award bestowed on senshuraku to the most technically able rikishi who managed most clearly to impose his aite to utilize fighting styles most suitable for him to counteract; often not bestowed at all (once in five (?) consecutive honbasho), see kanto-sho, shukun-sho
gishiki, ceremony, ritual
go-aisatsu, rijicho's welcoming speech to audience on shonichi
gobo, burdock, ingredient of chankonabe (?)
godanme, historic division most closely corresponding to current jonokuchi
Gofuku, heya in Kyushu that is no longer active
Gogatsu Basho, May honbasho, see Natsu Basho
go-hei, rare term for the five zigzagging stripes hanging from tsuna symbolizing lightnings; possibly same word as the next one, see shide
gohei, a shinto symbol erected onto the dohyo after keiko has finished; a wooden stick with white paper or cloth shaped like go-hei wrapped around
gohiiki, patronage between a rikishi and his supporter
gohkai, exciting, energetic and pleasurable way to audience to fight sumo
Go-Ichi Kumi
gomen fuda, historical (during Edo-jidai?) permission from the (religious?) authorities to arrange a sumo tournament
gomen koumuru, lit. receiving permission, see gomen fuda
gonin nuki, form of hana-zumo where a rikishi attempts to wrestle five opponents simultaneously
go no sen, phrase describing a perfect tachiai;
roughly means to take delayed action but yet getting the initiative; it was said
that legendary yokozuna Futabayama had perfect go no sen, he never committed
matta and let his foe start the bout but was nevetheless able to take initiative
from the start of the clash and lead the bout
Goshoguruma, heya which is no longer active
Goshonoura, heya which is no longer active
goshugi, unofficial donations to sekitori from his supporters (koenkai, tomonokai, tanimachi) which make their exact income impossible to know precisely
gotchan, see gottsuan
gotohchi-zumo, local rikishi, a crowd favourite, see otoko
gottsuan, "thank you", expression of sumo slang
gozengakari, exceptional dohyo-iri of the makuuchi division while a member or members of the Imperial family are present in which the rikishi gather onto the dohyo in rows and queues facing the Imperial stand instead of gathering around the tawara in order to not turn their backs to the Emperor
gumbai, meticulously handicrafted, possibly several generations old wooden fan used by the gyoji to mark out the winner of the torikumi, the rank of the gyoji can be deduced from his gumbai; resembles the fan of the ancient warlords, see Kimura, Shikimori
gumbai-uchiwa, see gumbai
gumbai wo kaesu, turning the gumbai to show the rikishi that the preparation time is over and torikumi is to be started without delay
Gumma, see Gunma
gunbai, see gumbai
gunbaidōri, lit. according to the gumbai, decision of the shimpan gathered in kyougi that gyoji's judgement was the correct one, see torinaoshi, sashi-chigae, mono-ii
Gunma, prefecture
guru-guru, agile rikishi's attempt to derive benefit from his greater speed relative to his aite by attacking him at unusual angles in an effort to gain an advantageous mawashi or leg grip
gyakuten, shiroboshi of a rikishi who was (very) close to losing the torikumi at some point
gyaku-tottari, see sakatottari
gyoen, see jingu
gyoji, referee who officiates the torikumi; belongs to a heya; maximum number of the gyoji is 45; they are divided into eight ranks (tategyoji, sanyaku-kaku, makuuchi-kaku, juryo-kaku, makushita-kaku, sandanme-kaku, jonidan-kaku, jonokuchi-kaku), see Kimura, Shikimori
gyoji-beya, locker room of the gyoji and the yobidashi (at Kokugikan), previously a heya specialized in training gyoji
gyoji-matta, break during torikumi due
to bad bleeding, loosened mawashi or any other event that needs urgent attention
and treatment
gyoji sashi-chigae, see sashi-chigae
gyoji-tamari, gyoji waiting for his torikumi on the tamari
gyouji, see gyoji
haafu, "half", when referred to person it means half-Japanese for
example like in case of ex-makuuchi Sentoryu
hachimaki, cloth wrapped around the head; used for instance in the first tsunauchi-shiki of shin-yokozuna
Hachiman, god of war
Hachimangu, shrine where shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo (1148-99) arranged torikumi
Hadaka no Konishiki, moto-ozeki Konishiki Yasokichi's jiden from 1998
hadashi, barefoot, see geta
hage-san, bald man, most balding rikishi retire before making oh-ichoh-mage or chonmage becomes impossible
hai, (pai), loss in a torikumi, compare with sho, see kuroboshi
haigyo, withdrawal from kyokai after retirement from active sumo; expression is disappearing, see intai, jun-toshiyori, ichidai toshiyori, danpatsu-shiki
haigyo todoke, report delivered to kyokai about the conclusion of a rikishi's active career, see haigyo, intai
haisui no jin, proverd meaning "A
precipice in front, a wolf behind"
hakama, wide pants made out of foldknit, see haori, kimono
hakataobi, belt of kimono, see obi
hakesaki, front part of oh-ichoh-mage shaped like a ginkgo leaf
haki-otoshi, lit. sweeping drop, dropping aite onto dohyo with a sweeping motion
hakite, touching dohyo with hand during torikumi, followed by kuroboshi, see fumikoshi
Hakkaku, heya which belongs to Takasago-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Hokutoumi, located in Sumida-ku
hakke-yoi, gyoji's encouragement yell at rikishi who don't show enough initiative to execute kimarite, see mizu-iri, nokotta
hakobiashi, "duck" walk done with bent knees while leaning to a mate walking in front of oneself to strengthen thighs and improve balance
hakozen, lunches apportioned by Sumo Kaisho to the rikishi of three top divisions until 1897
Hakubutsukan, see Kuramae Kokugikan(?)
Haku-ho, era during the 1960's dominated by yokozuna Taiho and Kashiwado, see Rin-Ko, Tochi-Waka, Ake-Taka, Kita-Tama, Ki-Rin, jidai
Hamakaze, heya which is no longer active
Hamakaze, myoseki which belongs to Nishonoseki-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
hamon, blade of sword
hampa-zumo, lit. incomplete sumo
Hanakago, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Daijuyama, located in Sumida-ku
hanamichi, "flowerpath", path leading from shitaku-beya to dohyo, see higashi hanamichi, nishi hanamichi
hanare, collective term for various pushing techniques, compare with kumi
Hanaregoma, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Kaiketsu, located in Suginami-ku
hanarete sumo wo toru, sumo where bodies of the rikishi are apart, not in contact, see oshi-zumo, compare with kunde sumo wo toru
hanareru, v. to maintain distance, see hanarete sumo wo toru
hanashite, some kind of practice
hanayome, bride, see tsuno kakushi
hana-zumo, sumo which doesn't have any effect on banzuke rankings, ie. any sumo tournament or happening honbasho excluded, especially sumo performed in humorous or showlike manner, see shokkiri, gonin nuki
hane, older expression for tsuppari?
hane-daiko, request for the spectators to leave the arena and come back the next day (naturally senshuraku and one-day happenings excluded); performed by playing yagura-daiko after the torikumi are finished, see ten-den bara-bara, yose-daiko, Sumida
hanko, unique seal or stamp of heraldically high standard used for making documents official and often as a guarantee that tegata by heya's sekitori are genuine; every heya has a unique hanko, see shikishi
hanmi, position that is highly reflexive for many rikishi and very convenient for defensive sumo; rikishi extends his other leg far behind the other one being bent in front, makes offensive sumo difficult to perform, not very liked style by kyokai's officials
hanmi-shikiri, way of crouching to tachiai so that the other leg is slightly further away from the shikiri-sen; amongst others moto-yokozuna Tochinishiki used to do this, usually considered a habit of technically brilliant rikishi, compare with hanmi
hansoku, illegal moves and occurances in torikumi, kuroboshi is immediate if any of these occur; punches with a clinched fist, bending aite's fingers to unnatural positions, intentional pulling of hair, striking aite's both ears with open hands at the same time, biting, poking the eyes intentionally, grapping the vertical part of mawashi through sagari, strangling (compare with nodo-wa), kicking above the knees and unraveling of mawashi, see fujomake, morodashi
hansokumake, loss by hansoku
haori, Japanese knee-length coat; in most heya at least sandanme rank is required for the right to wear haori, in some heya makushita rank is required, see hakama, kimono
haori-hakama, combination of haori and hakama
hara, stomach
Harajuku, district of Tokyo where Meiji-jingu is located; shin-yokozuna performs traditionally his first dohyo-iri there
haran, chaos; unpredictable situation concerning overall results especially during the last days of honbasho
haridashi, nowadays (since 1995) unofficial attribute which is possibly added to no lower than yaku-rikishi's rank when there are at least two rikishi above him at the same rank, his tozai rank depending on the amount of higher ranked haridashi rikishi; for instance third yokozuna (haridashi higashi yokozuna) and at the same time in banzuke a third ozeki (haridashi nishi ozeki); at one time haridashi could also mean rikishi who didn't have a rank in banzuke but who were allowed to participate in honbasho
back then (for example some huge men with abnormalities were sometimes
allowed to participate since they aroused spectators' curiosity; they
didn't have a chance against trained real rikishi though), see sei, compare with kyakuseki
harimanage, backward belt throw, kimarite,
sacrifice technique usually done as a last ditch throw at the edge. The
attacker will throw his opponent behind him by reaching over the
opponent's shoulder to grab the mawashi from
behind and then pull him past his own body while twisting into him. The
name comes from the image of a weak wave hitting a rock and then
drifting past it.
harite, open handed strikes aimed at aite's face, see nodo-wa, tsuppari
haru, spring, see aki, fuyu, natsu
Haru Basho, honbasho held in Osaka in March
hashira, post, pillar, see shihon-bashira
hassou-tobi, rare jump upwards at the tachiai by a rikishi attempting to surprise his forward leaning charging aite, when the move works it is a real crowd-pleaser and
can be a spectacular way of winning; the originator of the term into sumo was moto-yokozuna Wakanohana I,
originates from the story of Yoshitsune from Genji-Heishi war (1185) where
according to legend Yoshitsune jumped from one enemy boat to another juking
enemies around, it was said he could jump over eight boats (hassou no fune),
nowadays Hayateumi has started to use this jump as part of his sumo repertoire
Hatachiyama, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Hokutenyu, located in Sumida-ku
hataki, pressing or slapping aite downwards towards the dohyo, see hataku
hatakikomi, slap down, kimarite, one of sumo's most common techniques and often seen at the tachiai
or initial charge. The attacker will shift away as his opponent charges
in with his head too low. As he shifts, he will slap the opponent's
shoulder, back or arm with one or both hands, forcing him to touch the
surface of the ring with his hand or hands.
hataku, v. press downwards, see hataki
hatsu, num. first
Hatsu Basho, honbasho in Kokugikan in January
hatsu-dohyo, first ozumo torikumi in which rikishi is fighting for the first time or gyoji is refereeing for the first time
hatsu-kao-awase, first mutual (makuuchi) torikumi between two rikishi
hatsu-yusho, rikishi's first (makuuchi saiko) yusho
hazu, armpit, crucial in hazu-oshi where palm
is placed flat against foe's chest while all fingers except the thumb are in the
armpit fo the foe
hazuoshi, push aimed at aite's armpit, usually targeted upwards in order to lift aite's centre of gravity
hazu-shi
hebon-shiki, Hepburn style romanisation of Japanese; the most usual of few alternative ones
Heisei, Emperor Akihito's nengô (January 7th, 1989 -)
henka, avoiding aite's attack by dodging to the side, often done at the tachiai in pursuit of hatakikomi win; many consider resorting to henka being disgraceful and not good sumo, compare with inashi
henka-waza, term for henka used for emphasizing the nature of henka as a technique of its own although henka itself is never an official kimarite
heya, ozumo stable, one of presently 54 which are divided into five ichimon, see also beya
heya-betsu so-atari, rule preventing torikumi between rikishi from the same heya, kettei-sen and tomoe-sen excluded, compare with ichimon-betsu so-atari, kazoku-betsu so-atari, kojin-betsu so-atari, aibeya
Heya-Betsu Zen Sumo-Jin Mei-kan,
lit. Complete Directory of Sumo Men, special edition of over 100 pages
published every January and July by magazine Sutera listing detailed
information of every person in kakkai with every heya separately listed
heyagashira, heya's highest ranked (active) rikishi
heya-mochi no oyakata, oyakata who owns his heya, shisho, compare with heya-tsuki no oyakata
heya-tsuki no oyakata, oyakata who doesn't own heya but belongs to a heya owned by some other oyakata (i.e. shisho), compare with heya-mochi no oyakata
hidari, left, see migi
hidari-gata, eastern team of sechie-zumo, see migi-gata, tozai
hidarikiki, rikishi who prefers left-sided grips, compare with migikiki
hidari-sashi, compare with migi-sashi
hidari-uwate, left hand inside, right hand
outside grip, compare with migi-uwate
hidariyotsu, rikishis' grips on each others' mawashi so that left hands are inside, compare with migiyotsu; see uwate, shitate, morozashi, ai-yotsu, kenka-yotsu, tokui-yotsu
Hidenoyama, heya which is no longer active
Hidenoyama, myoseki which belongs to Sadogatake-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
higashi, east, eastern, the more prestigious side of banzuke, compare with nishi, see tozai, kita, minami
higashi hanamichi, path to dohyo from the eastern side of shitaku-beya, see nishi hanamichi
higashi-kata, (nominally) eastern side of dohyo
higashi-kata shimpan, shimpan sitting on the eastern side of the dohyo
higashi no kachi, victory of the rikishi on the eastern side
higashi yokozuna, highest ranked rikishi in banzuke provided that there are yokozuna in banzuke, see nishi yokozuna, sei
hiiki, favourite
hiji, elbow
hikae-buton, see basho-buton
hikae-rikishi, rikishi at the side of the dohyo waiting for his torikumi to take place, see basho-buton
hiki, pulling aite down; related to some kimarite
hikiotoshi, hand pull down, kimarite, a common sumo technique, similar to hatakikomi, in which the attacker pulls the opponent down while backing away by pulling on his arm, shoulder or the front of his mawashi.
hikitsuke, pulling aite usually with two-handed grip on the front part of the aite's mawashi (mae-mitsu) towards one's own body so that aite has to give up his forward leaning position and therefore becomes vulnerable to yori
hikiwake, prolonged torikumi that becomes unresolved because of the tiredness of the rikishi, see azukari, itamiwake
hikiwaza, collective term for techniques where aite is pulled backwards
hikkake, arm grabbing force out, kimarite in which the attacker will drive his opponent out of the ring by grabbing his arm with both hands, often in response to a tsuki/oshi (pushing/thrusting) attack and pull him past and to the attacker's rear while moving backwards and to the side.
hiku, v. pull, back up, see hikitsuke
hineri, twisting aite to his back or side
hineri-te, twelve twisting techniques of the original 48 kimarite (shijuu-hatte), see kake-waza, nage-waza, sori-te
hineru, v. twist, see hineri
hinkaku, honourableness, respect for seniority, dignity, strength of character etc.; especially yokozuna is expected to have these qualities
hinomaru, the flag of Japan
hinoshita kaizan, term that was used in late Edo-jidai and early Meiji era about rikishi who were equal of yokozuna or literally holding the rank of yokozuna
hipparikomu, letting deliberately aite place his arm or arms below one's own arms so that one can perform kannuki or hataki
hira-doshiyori, toshiyori without his own special assignment in kyokai, see iin, sanyo, riji, shunin, rijicho
hiragana, one of two Japanese syllabic scripts, see katakana
hira-gumo, "low spider", the other one of the old shikinihairu styles which are no longer defined separately; in hira-gumo rikishi's goal is to lower his body as low as possible in order to face his aite at tachiai from low posture aiming the initial crash upwards hence making his aite's centre of gravity rise; moto-yokozuna Terukuni and Maenoyama used hira-gumo at their time, nowadays only Asanowaka does it occasionally, compare with koma-inu, see hanmi-shikiri
Hirai-shi
hiramaku, another term for (makuuchi division) maegashira, sometimes used as a synonym for makuuchi
hiramaku dai-ichi-go, first maegashira to reach kachi-koshi during honbasho
Hirari
hira-sho
Hiroshima, prefecture
hirou, low rank
hirune, few hour afternoon nap after chanko providing optimal circumstances for rikishi's weight gain; not an ozumo specific word as such
hisashiburi, especially high ranking rikishi's return to action after injury, also spectators' expectations towards him; lit. long time, greeting to somebody you haven't seen in a while
Hitachi-Ume, era during the early 1900's dominated by the yokozuna Hitachiyama and Umegatani II, see Rin-Ko, Tochi-Waka, Haku-Ho, Ki-Rin, Kita-Tama, jidai
hitatare, ancient ceremonial court robe
hitorizumo, part of rice planting ceremony practised at least from the 14th century onwards where a rikishi named Ichirikizan (name apparently varies according to the locality) has three torikumi under gyoji's supervision against the imagined rice plant spirit (ine no seirei) which he ultimately loses in order to appease the spirits and secure the crops,
also an idiom in Japan with "hitori-zumo o toru" meaning literally "to do sumo
on your own", idiom refers to a situation where one is struggling by oneself
trying to make things better but seemlingly with no clear positive end in sight
hiza, knee, often injured bodypart in sumo
hogan bi-iki, supporting the "underdog" in torikumi, compassion felt towards the aite of the better rikishi and hoping for his shiroboshi; literally refers to Yoshitsune, founder of Kamakura shogunate
Hokkaido, northernmost of the four main islands of Japan; also a prefecture, see dosanko
honbasho, nowadays six annual grand tournaments on which the rankings of the rikishi are based on and which begin on the second Sunday of every odd month, Nagoya Basho in July excluded (which begins on the first Sunday of the month), see shonichi, nakabi, senshuraku, joban, chuban, shuban, tournament days, chiho-basho
honmyo, rikishi's real, legal name, compare with shikona
honne, special characteristics of ozumo in comparison to amateur sumo, see tatemae
hono-zumo, ceremonial torikumi held in a temple or shrine
honpo
honseki(-ti), person's official prefecture but not necessarily the prefecture the person was actually born in, see shusshin-chi, koseki
Honshu, largest of Japan's four main islands
hon-wari, fifteen regular honbasho torikumi of the sekitori (or seven of deshi), compare with kettei-sen, tomoe-sen
honzumo
Horyuji, temple which was used as a model for the first Kokugikan's roof structure
hoshi-jako, dried sardines
hoshitori, see hoshitorihyo
hoshitorihyo, table drawn of rikishi participating in the honbasho and on which every tournament day's kekka is drawn as honbasho proceeds; losing rikishi gets kuroboshi, winning rikishi gets shiroboshi, see kinboshi, shirosankaku, itami-wake, yasumi
hoshokin, prize money
hote, "greatest hand", term for the highest ranked rikishi before the rank of ozeki was introduced
hotewaki, next ranking down from hote; at one time rikishi rank equivalent to present sekiwake
hyo, Chinese reading of the kanji which means tawara in Japanese
Hyogo, prefecture
hyojunshiki, standard way of romanizing Japanese language, slightly modified form of Hepburn system
hyosatsu, name tag hung next to front door
hyoushi-gi, yobidashi's wooden sticks whose sound output is tuned by whittling the tips; yobidashi hit sticks together to draw spectators' attention
Ibaraki, prefecture northeast of Tokyo where clay suitable for building a dohyo can be found, see Arakawa, Arakida, Tsukuba Gakuen
ibatte iru, adj. (irritatingly) arrogant, arrogance shown by a rikishi towards his aite and even the audience
ichiban-daiko, nowadays abandoned custom of introducing the shin-deshi with playing of a yagura-daiko, see niban-daiko
ichiban shusse, rikishi candidates in the first round presentation of maezumo, compare with niban shusse and sanban shusse; they wear borrowed kesho-mawashi for this presentation, the only time they are allowed to do so before being promoted to a sekitori rank
ichidai toshiyori, personal and lifelong toshiyori-kabu outside regular myoseki that can be rarely privileged to an exceptionally successful yokozuna (dai-yokozuna) whose shikona is also the name of the ichidai-toshiyori; lost in its occupant's death or his 65th birthday, see teinen, Kitanoumi, Taiho,
Takanohana
Ichigatsu Basho, January honbasho, see Hatsu Basho
ichimon, one of five groups (Nishonoseki(-Futagoyama) Ichimon, Dewanoumi Ichimon, Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo, Tokitsukaze Ichimon & Takasago Ichimon) of heya to which all but one heya belong
ichimon-betsu so-atari, rule abolished in 1966 (?) that prevented torikumi, kettei-sen and tomoe-sen excluded, between rikishi who belonged to separate heya belonging to the same ichimon, see heya-betsu so-atari, kojin-betsu so-atari
ichimon-geiko, cooperative keiko held by the heya (or part of them) belonging to the same ichimon, see rengo-geiko
ichinin-mae, sekitori, "mature rikishi" in segregation from rikishi of lower rank who are considered apprentices and therefore ineligible to sekitori privileges, e.g. kiyome-jiro
Ichirikizan, see hitorizumo
ichizoku, clan
ichoh-no-ki, see ginkgo
iin, member of shimpan-iin, shimpan (?)
iin-taigu, status where one is treated as
iin
iincho, chairman of Yokozuna shingi-iinkai
ijime, bullying of the deshi in heya to teach them their place in hierarchy
ika, edible octopus, see takoyaki
Ikazuchi, heya which is no longer active
Ikazuchi, myoseki which belongs to Tatsunami-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
iki-jibiki, "walking dictionary"
ikioi, literally "momentum", success of a rikishi in his career on his way to kachi-koshi and kakuage; expression is often used especially of rikishi on their way to the highest ranks of ozeki and yokozuna
iki-tai, "living body", rikishi controlling the torikumi and about to crush his aite under him while both rikishi fall simultaneously; compare with shini-tai, see kabai-te
iki wo awaseru, aspiration of two rikishi to synchronize their breathing during shikkiri
ikkaisen, first round of those jungyo tournaments that are held in a cup format, see nikaisen, sankaisen, jun-jun-kessho, jun-kessho, kessho-sen
i-kyu, test inspecting the knowledge of Japanese language that is planned to be demanded from gaijin entering ozumo
Imizugawa, heya which is no longer active
Inagawa, heya which is no longer active
Inagawa, myoseki which belongs to Dewanoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo that later changed into Ajigawa, see oyakata
inaka, countryside where majority of the rikishi used to hail from
inashi, averting aite's attack by (ducking and) moving diagonally backwards, compare with henka
inasu, v. to duck
ine no seirei, see hitorizumo
Inosuke, heya which is no longer active
inro, lacquered and distinguished cartridge of medical supplies cleaved to obi of tategyoji and sanyaku-kaku by a silk cord
intai, rikishi's retirement from his active career while staying in kyokai as an occupant of (jun-)toshiyori-kabu, see haigyo, ichidai toshiyori, jun-toshiyori, dai-yokozuna, danpatsu-shiki
Intai kinen sumo kogyo, see danpatsu-shiki
intai kogyo, exhibition torikumi held at danpatsu-shiki
intai-zumo, see intai kogyo
International Sumo Federation, global amateur sumo federation, same as WASF?
ippai, honbasho score with only one kuroboshi (14-1 for sekitori, 6-1 for toriteki)
ipponzeoi, kimarite,
classic seio-nage where rikishi wraps his arm around foe's arm and lifts him up
while pivoting and throws him over his shoulder, very rare in sumo due to heavy
weights, necessity to avoid touching down with one's knee before foe hits the
clay and the lack of cloth to grab
irekae-sen, unofficial term for torikumi where the participants are rikishi of different divisions, usually one of higher division who has had a bad honbasho and one of lower division who has been winning; this way torikumi hensei kaigi can partly evaluate the need for division changes for these rikishi although the final total win-loss result is always the deciding factor; sometimes term is used about torikumi where a young, lower ranked rikishi wins more experienced, higher ranked rikishi and earns his place on top
Irimoya, see Kiritsuma, Shinmei
irimoya-zukuri
Irumagawa, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Tochitsukasa, located in Yono-shi
isamiashi, forward step out, one of five situations in which a rikishi can win a torikumi without actually initiating a kimarite; situation where the attacking rikishi accidentally steps too far forward and out of the ring before winning the torikumi, giving the victory to his aite;
isamiashi is recorded outside official listing of winning techniques:
the English translation was changed from "inadvertent step out" with
the introduction of fumidashi (rear step out) in the 2001 winning technique list expansion, see koshikudake, okuriashi, tsukite, tsukihiza
Isegahama, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-ozeki Kiyokuni, located in Daito-ku
Isenoumi, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Fujinokawa, located in Edogawa-ku
ISF, see International Sumo Federation
Ishikawa, prefecture
issho-kemmei, giving one's everything in a torikumi
isshou-kenmei, see issho-kemmei
isu-seki, individual seats on the loft furthest from the dohyo divided into A, B and C seats according to their prices, see jiyu-seki, tachi-seki, tamari-seki, box seki, masu-seki, sunakaburi
ita-banzuke, large wooden banzuke attached to yagura outside the honbasho venue
itami-wake, undetermined torikumi, rare situation in which one or both rikishi get injured after the torikumi has started and are unable to continue; apparently neither rikishi are considered to have won or lost, compare with fusenpai, fusensho, azukari, hikiwake, torinaoshi
itsuka-me, fifth day of honbasho, see tournament days
Iwate, prefecture
Iwatomo, myoseki which belongs to Kasugano-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
izakaya, pub, bar, compare with ryokan, chanko-ya
izori, backwards body drop, kimarite in which the attacker will dive under his aite's
charge so the defender is leaning on top and over him. The attacker
will then grab behind either one or both knees, or the front of the
defender's mawashi, and use his lower body/back to lift him up and over backwards.
Izumo, area nowadays belonging to Shimane prefecture where gods Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata had their mythical torikumi over the possession of the islands of Japan
Izutsu, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Sakahoko, located in Sumida-ku
jakku shiraku furansu kyôwakoku daitôryô-hai, challenge trophy weighing 20 kg donated by French president Jacques Chirac in 2000 given to the winner of makuuchi saiko yusho
janome, 25 cm wide area surrounding tawara, composed of fine-grained sand and swept regularly by yobidashi so that the mark indicating rikishi's foot stepping out of the dohyo is easily detected if stepping out has occured in the heat of action; around 1897-1931 janome was also surrounded by a tawara of its own, see nijuudohyo
janome no suna, see janome
jibun no sumou, one's own sumo; ability to force aite to wrestle on conditions favourable to oneself
jidai, lit. era, battle between two superior rikishi for the authority in whole ozumo, see Rin-Ko, Haku-ho, Tochi-Waka, Ake-Taka, Kita-Tama, Ki-Rin
jiden, autobiography, for example Fumareta mugi wa tsuyoku naru, Shinbou no rireki-sho, Dokuhaku
jigyo bucho, bucho responsible for kyokai's economy
jikan, lit. time, see jikan mae
jikan desu, te wo tsuite, "It's time. Lower your hands.", see jikan ippai
jikan-gakari shimpan, shimpan who takes care of timing, see tokei-gakari shimpan
jikan ippai, gyoji's order to rikishi to begin torikumi without further delay, see gumbai wo kaesu, ryote o orosu
jikan mae, mutual understanding between rikishi to begin tachiai, compare with matta
jikkyou, live (commentary)
Jimmaku, heya which is no longer active
Jimmaku, myoseki which belongs to Hakkaku-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
jingu, shrine, for example Meiji-jingu where shin-yokozuna perform their first dohyo-iri, see Harajuku
jinja, see jingu
jinku, see sumo jinku
jinku-kai
Jinmaku, see Jimmaku
jinshin
jiriki, "on his own", rikishi who is pursuing yusho and is one shiroboshi behind his do-beya can't achieve yusho by jiriki since he can't fight against his do-beya because of heya-betsu so-atari rule and hence must wait for some other heya's rikishi to cause kuroboshi to his do-beya so that winning records would become even and a chance to kettei-sen would become possible, see kojin-betsu so-atari
jishin wa doryoku, rikishi's exceptionally strong self confidence, see tame
jiyu-seki, cheapest seats at the honbasho venue, see isu-seki, tachi-seki, tamari-seki, box seki, masu-seki, sunakaburi
joban, first five tournament days of honbasho, see tournament days, chuban, shuban, shonichi
jobansen, see joban
jodan, upper torso; shoulders, neck and head
joi goban, last five makushita division torikumi after juryo division dohyo-iri, see kiyome-jiro
joijin, about twenty highest ranked rikishi; yaku-rikishi and maegashira-joi who fight against each other in honbasho
joijin keiko
jomen, see shomen
jonai hoso, audience announcements
jonidan, second lowest division of the six professional ozumo divisions, 245 rikishi
jonidan-kaku, gyoji officiating torikumi between two jonidan rikishi or a torikumi between a jonidan and a jonokuchi ranked rikishi
jonokuchi, lowest ranked division of the six professional ozumo divisions, about 70 rikishi
jonokuchi-kaku, gyoji who officiates torikumi between two jonokuchi ranked rikishi
joran-zumo, sumo performed at the presence of shogun, compare with tenran-zumo
joubu-dawara, four hyo rows forming the dohyo's outer border, see toku-dawara, kengamine, fumi-dawara, kado-dawara, soto-dawara, janome
judo, Japanese martial arts influenced by sumo, see aikido
Juichigatsu Basho, honbasho in November, see Kyushu Basho
juichinichi-me, eleventh day of honbasho, see tournament days
jumaime, official term for juryo division; presumably originally meant the ten highest makushita division ranks that were separated to its own division between makushita and makuuchi in 1888
jungyo, tours to different areas of Japan; gives an opportunity for large crowds to get familiar with different aspects of ozumo; results of tournaments held in jungyo don't affect on banzuke; jungyo is naturally held between honbasho; also unofficial tours abroad are considered jungyo, compare with koen, see basho
jungyo bucho, bucho responsible for jungyo
jun-hon-basho, term for Nagoya and Fukuoka basho before those were accepted as official honbasho
juninichi-me, twelfth day of honbasho, see tournament days
jun-jun-kessho, fourth round (quarterfinal) of those jungyo tournaments that are held in a cup format when there are still eight sekitori left in the tournament, see ikkaisen, nikaisen, sankaisen, jun-kessho, kessho-sen
jun-kessho, fifth round (semifinal) of those jungyo tournaments that are held in a cup format when there are still four sekitori left in the tournament, see ikkaisen, nikaisen, sankaisen, jun-jun-kessho, kessho-sen
jun-oyakata
jun-toshiyori, ten two-year waiting rights for the retired sekitori during which former sekitori has to arrange
for himself a toshiyori-kabu or resign from kyokai's membership
jun-yusho, rikishi who become(s) second in honbasho
juryo, "ten golden coins", second highest ranked division of the six professional ozumo divisions and which was separated from makushita division in 1888 Haru Basho, 26 rikishi, see sekitori, jumaime, maegashira
juryo hitto, two highest ranked juryo (higashi juryo mai-me 1 and nishi juryo mai-me 1), compare with maegashira hitto, binbou-gami
juryo-kaku, gyoji who officiates torikumi between two juryo ranked rikishi or between a juryo and a makushita ranked rikishi
jusannichi-me, thirteenth day of honbasho, see tournament days
juu-rensho, winning streak of ten consecutive torikumi
juyokka-me, fourteenth day of honbasho, see tournament days
jyoo, ten shaku (ca. 3 m); diameter of a dohyo is 1.5 jyoo, see sun, bu, rin
kabai-te, hand of the winning rikishi with which he is allowed to touch dohyo to soften the blow on his aite without losing the torikumi, compare with tsukite, see next term
kabai-te, controversial and rare possibility of the winning rikishi to touch the dohyo with some other body part except the soles of his feet or to touch the area beyond the tawara in an effort to avoid his aite's injury without losing the torikumi, see previous term
kabu, see toshiyori-kabu
Kabutoyama, heya which
is no longer active
kachiage, unsettling aite's appropriately forwarding leaning and balanced stance by landing powerful thrusts with bent arms onto his chin and upper torso
kachiageru, v. to push, see kachiage
kachi-doku, toriteki's shiroboshi in his (luckily gotten) eight honwari torikumi which affects positively on his ranking in the next banzuke, compare with make-doku
kachi-koshi, majority of wins in honbasho, at least eight shiroboshi in fifteen torikumi or four shiroboshi in seven torikumi; guarantees that there won't be kakusage (demotion) but almost always there will be kakuage (promotion), compare with make-koshi
kachi-make, lit. win-loss, ozumo's accentuated quality as a sport while neglecting the other (ritual, religious etc.) qualities, see shobu
kachinanori, proclamation of victory
kachinokori, rikishi who has won the third or fourth last torikumi of his division and who will not leave his dohyo side (higashi-kata or nishi-kata) and go back to the shitaku-beya but waits in case that the all remaining rikishi on his tozai side lose their torikumi in which case there would be no one to offer chikara-mizu to the last rikishi of the said tozai side
kadoban, ozeki who has committed make-koshi in the previous honbasho and who will drop to the last sekiwake position if he is to repeat the make-koshi in the coming or on-going honbasho; such rikishi can regain his ozeki rank if he in the immediately next honbasho at the sekiwake rank can manage at least ten shiroboshi; see the kosho seido rule which
was commonly observed in kadoban cases before its abolishment in 2004
kadoban wo mukaeru, facing the kadoban
kado-dawara, 28 tawara of which joubu-dawara is formed
kaeri, prefix added to the rank of a rikishi signifying that he is returning to a division from which he was dropped earlier; for example kaeri-juryo Fictinoyama can be a rikishi who has fought in the juryo division and dropped lower to the makushita division but risen back up to juryo; if he keeps his position in the juryo, he isn't called kaeri any more in the next honbasho, compare with shin, see sai
kaeri-ozeki, rikishi who fights for the first time at the rank of ozeki having earlier lost the said rank, compare with shin-ozeki
kaeri-sanyaku, rikishi returning to a sanyaku rank (in practice to the rank of komusubi or less usually sekiwake) who has earlier held either rank but dropped down to the rank of maegashira or even juryo; term is commonly used for a rikishi who hasn't been part of sanyaku for a relatively long time
Kagamiyama, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Tagaryu, located in Edogawa-ku; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo
Kagawa, prefecture
Kagoshima, prefecture
kagura, sacred dances of the miko at the shinto shrines
kaicho, chairman (for example one of koenkai or Yokozuna shingi iinkai), see fuku-kaicho, iincho
kaigai koen, overseas koen
kaimei, change of shikona, see aratame
kaina, arm
kainahineri, two-handed arm twist down, kimarite in which the attacker will lock up one of the defender's arms with both arms and, turning into his aite, twist him over and into the clay.
Kaisei-Gumi, ozumo organization lead by rikishi named Takasago Uragoro in Nagoya in 1873-1878 which separated itself from the Tokyo organization of that time in order to establish a more modern association governed by clear rules
kaitenzushi, conveyor belt sushi where
sushi plates travel on a conveyor belt around and around and customers pick
whatever they want and pay according to amount of plates and the colour of
plates at the end of the sushi eating session
kakato, heel
kake, wrapping foot or leg around aite's foot or leg
kakenage, hooking inner thigh throw, kimarite
in which the attacker will hook one leg inside the defender's legs and
turn away from him. As he raises the hooked leg up and back, he will
wrap his foot around the defender's ankle or lower calf. By driving
that attacking leg up and backwards, he will force the defender up and
over into the clay.
kake-waza, twelve foot throwing techniques of the original 48 kimarite (shijuu-hatte), see hineri-te, nage-waza, sori-te
kakezori, hooking backwards body drop, kimarite
in which the attacker will have his head placed under one of the
defender's arms while taking an inside grip on the opposite side of his
aite's mawashi. Taking a
deep step from the same side as his gripping hand, he will attempt to
either twist the defender over that leg or hook the defender's closest
leg. At the same time, he will drive his head into the defender's side
to force him over backwards.
kaki, persimon
kakkai, ozumo community, see sumo-kai
kaku, term which sometimes refers to sumo, comes
from Chinese kanji for sumo
kakuage, promotion of rank in banzuke, see kachi-koshi
kakujitsu, adj. final; promotion of ozeki to yokozuna are often practically decided during the last day(s) of honbasho and later only nominally confirmed finally
kaku-kai, see kakkai
kakusage, demotion of rank in banzuke, see make-koshi
kakushiki, formalities, see dento
kakutougi, combat sport
kamaete, gyoji's exhortation to the rikishi stepping onto the dohyo to begin preparation for the torikumi
Kamakari, family name of sekiwake Takatoriki
before he was adopted to Taiho's family when he married Taiho's daughter and
became Naya
kamban, see kanban
kamidana, shinto home altar most usually fabricated of hinoki tree, see butsudan
Kamimusubi no kami, one of three gods to whom a rikishi shows his appreciation after winning a torikumi, see Takamimusubi no kami, Amenominakanushi no kami, tegatana o kiru
kami-sama, spirit of a deceased person which is believed to strengthen anyone who remembers the spirit with prayers, see gen-naoshi
Kami-Tsuru-gun, district of Yamanashi where Hanakago-beya is located
kamishimo, semi-official costume of the gyoji used until 1910 that imitated costume of the samurai
kamisori, bare area shaved onto the top of the head of a rikishi with bushy hair to help tokoyama in preparing the chonmage or oh-ichoh-mage
kamiyui, preparation of rikishi's coiffure, see tokoyama, oh-ichoh-mage, chonmage, ginkgo
kamon, family crest, see montsuki
kan, old Japanese measure of weight, about 3.75 kg
Kanagawa, prefecture
Kanayama Taikukan, arena without air-conditioning in Nagoya where the hot July honbasho was held until 1965, see Aichi Kenritsu Taikukan
kanban, physically somehow exceptional rikishi who were taken into tournaments (and promoted to the rank of ozeki) to lure audience during the Edo-jidai; usually they were of little athletic ability with few exceptions like Dategaseki who developed into yokozuna Tanikaze; kanban literally means a signboard
kancho, see Sumo Hakubutsukan Kancho
kanji, Chinese writing characters used in Japan
kanji, supervisor (?), see Kyoshujo (?)
kanjikai, lit. board of governors, sponsoring agreement of a heya lasting a honbasho
kanjin-moto, person responsible of a jungyo
kanjin-ozumo, later writing form of kanjin-zumo since 1761 when the word ozumo (grand sumo, professional sumo) was used for the first time
kanjin-zumo, form of sumo in seventeenth to nineteenth century whose profits were used to support the sumotori and to build and restore shrines, bridges, temples etc.
kankei-sha, participants
kannuki, breaking aite's morozashi or tying aite's arms lured to their position by a hipparikomu by forcefully squeezing the arms around aite's upper arms to force aite's grip to go off; especially used by large rikishi; often prone to cause injuries to the aite
kannushi, shinto priest; gyoji often act in a way reminiscent of priests but they aren't real priests
kanreki yokozuna dezuiri, dohyo-iri ceremony performed by a yokozuna having his sixtieth birthday in which he uses the same gata he used to use while he was active and wears a red tsuna;
only a handful of these ceremonies have taken place (Tachiyama 1937,
Tochigiyama 1952, Tsunenohana 1956, Tochinishiki 1985, Wakanohana I
1988, Taiho 2000 & Kitanofuji 2002), see shiranui-gata, unryu-gata
Kansatsu Iincho, oyakata in charge of kyokai's inspective committee, same as iincho (?)
kantei-ryu, see sumo moji
kanto-sho, fighting spirit award, sansho award bestowed on senshuraku to the most tenacious rikishi who managed most clearly to make the most out of his abilities, see shukun-sho, gino-sho
kaobure, large pieces of washi paper onto which the makuuchi torikumi of the next day are written
kaobure gonjoo, reading aloud the kaobure while waiting for the first makuuchi division torikumi to begin at about 4.10 - 4.25 PM local time; reader is either tategyoji or sanyaku-kaku who lays the kaobure on a fan, reads them aloud in a singing tone and hands them over one by one to a young yobidashi who shows them to each cardinal point; sometimes kaobure gonjoo is skipped for unknown reasons; during kaobure gonjoo kikaku are often showed in the TV broadcast
kao wo tateru, v. to save face
Karafuto, island belonging nowadays to Russia (Sakhalin) where yokozuna Taiho was born in 1940 from Ukrainian father and Japanese mother
kara-uchiwa, see gumbai
kariginu, ancient fighting costume of the rikishi
of more than thousand years ago
kari-kabu, rented toshiyori-kabu;
during the lease the renter aims to collect the money to either buy the
rented kabu or some other kabu about to become available for the right
price, see jun-toshiyori
kashira, see wakaimonogashira
kashiwade, clapping hands in prayer to attract the attention of the gods
Kashiwado, heya which is no longer active
Kashiwa-shi, suburb of Chiba where Isegahama-beya is located
Kasshoku-no Dangan, "brown bullet", nickname of sekiwake Fusanishiki Katsuhiko, a small but tenacious rikishi who was specialized in oshi-zumo
Kasugano, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Tochinoumi, located in Sumida-ku
Kasugayama, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-maegashira (mai-me 1) Kasugafuji, located in Kawasaki-ku
kata, (dohyo's) side according to cardinal directions
kata, shoulder
katafutori, rikishi whose body fat is unusually solid, for example ozeki Tochiazuma, compare with Miyabiyama and Minatofuji whose bodies are softer than average
katai, adj. stiff, rigid
katakana, one of two Japanese syllabic scripts, see hiragana
katame ga aita
katana, samurai's long sword, see tachimochi, tachi, waziyashi, taisho, daisho, daito
Kataonami, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Tamanofuji, located in Sumida-ku
katasukashi, under-shoulder swing down, kimarite in which the attacker will force his aite into the clay by placing one hand on the aite's shoulder blade from the inside and one from the outside, pulling him down and forward while backing away.
kata-teppo, teppo with only one hand
kata-yaocho, form of yaocho gratuitous to the winning rikishi since someone else has bought the torikumi to him without his consent
katsu, cutlet some rikishi eat to get gen to work for them since "katsu" means not only cutlet but also the verb to "win", see tonkatsu
Katsunoura, heya which is no longer active
Katsunoura, myoseki which belongs to Isenoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
katsuo, mackerel-like fish, common chankonabe ingredient
Katsushika-ku, district of Tokyo where Tatsutagawa-beya is located
Kawaguchi-shi, district of Saitama where Minato-beya is located
kawaigareru, v. to coach, see kawaigaru
kawaigaru, coaching young deshi and supporting his mental growth using methods which might seem quite ineffective to a layman
kawaru, similar to henka; used if henka is done in midst of a torikumi
Kawasaki-ku, district of Kawasaki where Kasugayama-beya is located
Kawayu Sumo Kinenkan, museum located in Kawayu exhibiting the legendary career of moto-yokozuna Taiho;
kept by his brother, see Sobetsu Kitanoumi Kinenkan
kawazugake, hooking backward counter throw, spectacular kimarite done from a grappling position; the attacker will hook his aite's
closest leg from the inside and take him over backwards by pulling that
hooked leg forward and across his own body. A sacrifice technique.
kazoe, Japanese way of defining person's age by counting full calendar years since his or her birth
kazoku-betsu so-atari, rule preventing torikumi between rikishi from the same family, kettei-sen and tomoe-sen excluded, compare with ichimon-betsu so-atari, heya-betsu so-atari, kojin-betsu so-atari
ke, v. to kick
Kehaya, see Sukune
keigo, respective way of speaking when addressing someone of higher rank
keihitsu, tategyoji's exhortation to the audience to quieten before yokozuna is about to begin his dohyo-iri ceremony
keiko, practice, see shiko, teppo-oshi, sonkyo, matawari, butsukari-geiko, sanban-geiko
keiko-aite, practice opponent
keikoba, heya's practice area with the dohyo and teppo if not several, see keiko, agari-zashiki
keikoba keihi, allowance paid by kyokai to the shisho every other month to support the upbringing of the rikishi; since early 2000 the sum has been 10 000 yen per rikishi
keiko mawashi, mawashi used in keiko, that of the sekitori is light in colour and individually measured whereas the toriteki use dark mawashi previously used by their ani-deshi
keiko-so-ken, keiko followed by the supporters (tomonokai, koenkai), see agari-zashiki
keitou bessou atari, see kazoku-betsu so-atari
kekaeshi, minor inner footsweep, kimarite in which the attacker will sweep his aite's
leg out from under him by kicking the defender's leg from the inside.
The sweep is right foot to right foot or left to left. The footsweep is
often accompanied by a well-timed slap on the defender's back as he
begins to lean forward.
kekka, match result, especially results of a whole tournament day, see shiroboshi, kuroboshi, hikiwake, azukari, itami-wake, yasumi, fusensho, fusenpai, kinboshi, ginboshi
ken, suffix signifying prefecture
kenka-yotsu, struggle of two rikishi favouring different mawashi grips (hidariyotsu or migiyotsu) attempting to get their respective favourite grips from each other's mawashi, compare with ai-yotsu, see yotsu-zumo
kengamine, the part of a tawara above dohyo surface; often used as an idiom, see shobu-dawara, kado-dawara, fumi-dawara, shio-kago, janome, hyo, agedawara
kenninfubatsu, rikishi with courage and tenacity to wrestle relatively equally against aite who should have easier time against him
kensayaku, an official who at one time assisted in arranging the honbasho; nowadays might be a synonym for shimpan, see torishimari, sodanyaku, sewagata
kensho-kin, encouragement money in a single torikumi by a single sponsor whose amount is specified by kyokai (currently 60 000 yen half of which is given to the winning rikishi); there can be upto thirty or even more kensho-kin bought in a very anticipated torikumi
keppan, blood seal pressed with a thumb symbolizing dedication to the document in question; red colour of the tegata might be influenced by the keppan
keren-zumo, show sumo, way of wrestling shunned by the oyakata where imposing and unconventional techniques are sought as an end in itself
kesho-mawashi, sekitori's (and yumitori's) ornamental, silken and often very expensive cloth usually paid by the tanimachi or koenkai worn on top of dohyo mawashi in the dohyo-iri ceremony; onto kesho-mawashi is embroidered its wearer's shikona and the name of the donor; always created by men, see also shinjo shusse hiro
kessho-sen, sixth and final round of those jungyo tournaments that are held in a cup format when there are just two best sekitori left in the tournament, see ikkaisen, nikaisen, sankaisen, jun-jun-kessho, jun-kessho
ketaguri, pulling inside ankle sweep, kimarite usually seen at the tachiai, the attacker will leap to the side and kick or sweep his aite's lead leg from the inside while slapping the shoulder or pulling the arm closest to him.
ketsudan, determination
kettei-sen, play-off system to be used in a situation when two or more rikishi, be they do-beya or not, have equal number of wins (yusho-doten, usually from eleven to thirteen, seldom fourteen) after the hon-wari and the yusho needs to be decided with an additional torikumi or several; also a collective term including tomoe-sen situations, see aibeya, wakaimonogashira
kettei tomoe-sen, see tomoe-sen
ki, mental power, also synonym for hyoushi-gi
kiai ga haitteiru, fighting spirit of a rikishi who is exceptionally intense during shikkiri, for example Takatoriki
kiai wo ireru, improving the fighting spirit and tenaciousness of young rikishi by using mild physical violence, for example beating with bamboo sticks
kigaku, Chinese horoscope fortune tellings
kikaku, insert of a TV program, for instance report shown in the midst of honbasho coverage about preparation for the honbasho of some especially interesting or topical rikishi
kikansha, "steam engine"; term sometimes used for a furious offensive yori; best examples could be yokozuna Kashiwado and Kotonishiki
kiki shinwa, mythical characteristics of sumo as a part of Japanese story of the creation
kiku, see shungiku
kimarigoto, unwritten behavioral codes Japanese people expect from the gaijin and from themselves
kimarite, winning technique; currently there are 82 kimarite listed, compare with isamiashi, koshikudake
kimarite-gakari, oyakata sitting at shomen and taking care of jonai hoso, ie. announcing the torikumi winner and used kimarite, see shobu-kekka
kimaru, rikishi's arms tied up by aite with kannuki
kimboshi, see kinboshi
kimchee, see kim-chi
kim-chi, Korean style pickles
kime, eliminating aite's arms by tying them up inside one's own arms; part of some kimarite
kimedashi, arm barring force out, kimarite
in which the attacker will lock up or bar the defender's arms by
wrapping his own arms around them from the outside. He will then grab
one of his own wrists, pulling up and in. This puts tremendous pressure
on the defender's elbows and allows the attacker to march or swing his aite backwards and out of the dohyo.
kime-ni-iku, see kime-ni-yuku
kime-ni-yuku, attempting kimeru
kimeru, eliminating aite's arms using kannuki
kimetaoshi, arm barring force down, kimarite in which the attacker will bar his aite's arm or arms from the outside. He will than force the aite down by throwing his weight into and on top of him. It is most often seen today after the aite has a achieved a double inside grip.
Kimigahama, myoseki which belongs to Hakkaku-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Kimigahama, heya which is no longer active; merged with Izutsu-beya in 1978
Kimigayo, national anthem of Japan
kimono, traditional dress in Japan
Kimura, the more prestigious of the two gyoji schools; recognised by their way of holding gumbai palm facing downwards whereas the Shikimori hold gumbai palm facing upwards, see Kimura Shonosuke, Shikimori Inosuke, compare with Shikimori
Kimura Sehei, official name of the former Kise-beya, see Shikimori Hidejiro
Kimura Shonosuke, highest ranked gyoji (tategyoji) who is equivalent to rikishis' higashi sei-yokozuna; purple shibusa knots of his costume are characteristical for Kimura Shonosuke, compare with Shikimori Inosuke
kinboshi, "gold star", officially recognized and recorded shiroboshi by a rikishi ranked below komusubi against yokozuna in hon-wari honbasho torikumi; also entitles rikishi for a financial bonus, compare with ginboshi
Kindai, either Kanazawa or Kinki University
kinenkan, memorial hall, (small) museum
kinji-te, hansoku type grips, gestures or behaviour such as pulling hair, kicking and throwing water on aite's face (used in shokkiri, that'll be the day when a rikishi actually does that for real!), see also hana-zumo, intai kogyo
kin-te, see kinji-te
kiri, pushing aite off the dohyo while having a grip on his mawashi
kirikaeshi, twisting backward knee trip, kimarite in which the attacker will take a deep step forward with his lead leg so his knee is placed behind his aite's lead leg; he will then throw aite down by twisting him backwards and over that knee
Ki-Rin, era during the last years of 1970's dominated by yokozuna Wajima and ozeki Takanohana, see Rin-Ko, Haku-Ho, Tochi-Waka, Ake-Taka, Kita-Tama, jidai
Kiritsuma, see Shinmei, Irimoya
Kiriyama, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-komusubi Kurosegawa; located in Arakawa-ku
kiryoku, will power, will to win, see mukiryoku
kiryoku no chigai, change of kiryoku (in the midst of a torikumi?)
Kise, heya which belonged to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and was lead by moto-maegashira (mai-me 9) Kiyonomori since 1967; merged with Kiriyama-beya after Hatsu Basho 2000; the other one of the two heya originally founded by a gyoji, see Shikihide
kita, north, see higashi, nishi, minami
Kitajin, myoseki which belongs to Nishonoseki-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
kita-kata, (nominally) northern side of dohyo
kita-kata shimpan, shimpan sitting on the northern side of the dohyo
Kitano Tenmangu, shrine in Kyoto constructed in 947 where yokozuna at a given time every 25 years (lastly on March 26th, 2002) perform their dohyo-iri ceremony
Kitanoumi, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Kitanoumi; located in Koto-ku
Kitanoumi, one of the two ichidai toshiyori; possessed by dai-yokozuna of similar name, see Taiho
Kita-Tama, era during the change of 1960's and 1970's dominated by yokozuna Kitanofuji and Tamanoumi, see Rin-Ko, Tochi-Waka, Ake-Taka, Haku-ho, Ki-Rin, jidai
kiyome-jiro, throwing coarse salt onto dohyo prior to torikumi in order to purify dohyo from the effect of evil spirits and to disinfect possible cuts rikishi might suffer in the heat of torikumi; some rikishi rub salt to certain parts of their bodies which they especially want to protect from an injury, see shio, shio-kago, makushita
Kiyomigata, heya which is no longer active
Kiyomigata, myoseki which belongs to Mihogaseki-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Kochi, prefecture
kodomo-zumo, sumo performed by kids individually or with joined forces against a real rikishi
koen, tour abroad presenting ozumo; usually quite short with most high-ranked rikishi participating; arranged by kyokai after invitation from an official source in host county, compare with jungyo
koenkai, sort of a fan club of a sekitori (or heya) whose members pay quite significant amounts of money to be noted in publicity as in connection with the sekitori (or whole heya); pays the kesho-mawashi of the sekitori and organizes various occasions, comapre with tomonokai, see danpatsu-shiki, goshugi
kohai, junior, rikishi of lower rank (?), see ani-deshi, compare with senpai
ko-han-sen, about ten makuuchi torikumi following nakairi which also are the last ones of a honbasho day, see zen-han-sen
koho bucho, bucho responsible for kyokai's public relations
Kohto-ku, see Koto-ku
kohyou, exceptionally small rikishi
Kojiki, the oldest Japanese chronic where also sumo is mentioned for the first time; from 712
kojin-betsu so-atari, hypothetical rule according to which all rikishi would have to wrestle against each other in hon-wari torikumi even if they are from the same heya; evidently relatives would not have to wrestle against each other in hon-wari torikumi though even in case kojin-betsu so-atari would be taken into use, see ichimon-betsu so-atari, heya-betsu so-atari
kojin yusho seido, system in use since 1909 where individual rikishi compete for yusho instead of teams; lit. individual yusho system
kokka, national anthem, see Kimigayo
kokkai, see diet
Kokonoe, heya which belongs to Takasago-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Chiyonofuji; located in Sumida-ku
kokonoka-me, ninth day of honbasho, see tournament days
kokoro, erroneous and folksy expression for rei done by the winning rikishi after torikumi before possibly receiving the kachinanori, see shu-rei
kokosei rikishi
kokubetsu-shiki, wake for the deceased, see tsuya
kokugi, national sport, see ozumo
Kokugikan, see Ryogoku Kokugikan
Kokumin-eiyo-shou, badge of honour to a merited Japanese granted by the cabinet; in kakkai moto-yokozuna Chiyonofuji is the only one who has received this honour
kokumin taiiku taikai, national athletic meet
kokusai, adj., international
kokusaika, internationalization
kokusaigin
Kokusai Sumo Remmei, presumably International Sumo Federation
kokuseki, nationality
kokusho, stylized chrysanthemum figure which acts as the symbol of the Imperial family
kokutai, see kokumin taiiku taikai
kokyu o awasete tatsu, synchronization of rikishis' breathing before tachiai
kokyu wo awaseru, rikishis' failure in determining the beginning of tachiai (?), see matta
koma-inu, "lion dog", one of the two old shikinihairu styles which are no longer defined separately, compare with hira-gumo, see hanmi-shikiri
komatasukui, over thigh scooping body drop, kimarite best used in combination with an uwatenage (overarm throw) or a shitatenage (underarm throw). As the aite defends against the throw by taking a deep step forward, the attacker will reach down with his free hand and grab the aite's leg on or near the thigh. He will then pull up, driving the aite over backwards.
kombu, edible alga
kome, rice
kome-bitsu, "money casket", mockery nickname for moto-yokozuna Futahaguro; the origin of the expression is the spoiling way Tatsunami Oyakata and Okamisan treated Futahaguro
Komeito, political wing of Sokagakkai belonging to the political left
komusubi, fourth highest rank of rikishi and also the lowest rank in sanyaku, see sekiwake, maegashira
komusubi ni kano, formerly an expression for the winner of third from last torikumi on senshuraku no matter what his actual rank was, see kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), yaku-zumo ni kano, sekiwake ni kano, ozeki ni kano
konaki-zumo, ceremony very distantly resembling torikumi;
participants consist of baby boys born on the previous year and winner
is determined by whom is the first one to burst into cry
Kono sumo ichiban ni te, honjitsu no KI uchidome KI KI, Kimura Shonosuke's announcement for musubi-no-ichiban; KI indicates the sound of yobidashi's hyoushi-gi sticks
konsen
Kookaku-gumi
Korakuen, uncovered baseball field on which honbasho were held during the final parts of the second world war when Japan's imperial army took over the original Kokugikan
kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), three last hon-wari torikumi at senshuraku and hence in whole honbasho preceded by sanyaku soroibumi, see yaku-zumo ni kano
koro-kin, large sum of retirement money paid to a high-ranking rikishi after his active career has ended
koseki, homeplace register and the document gotten from there, see honseki(-ti), shusshin-chi
koshi, pelvis
koshikudake, inadvertent collapse, one of five situations in which a rikishi can win a torikumi without actually initiating a kimarite; situation where rikishi falls over backwards without his aite attempting any technique; often occurs when a rikishi overcommits to an attack; recorded outside official list of winning techniques, see isamiashi, okuriashi, tsukite, tsukihiza
koshinage, hip throw, kimarite in which the attacker will turn into his aite
while pulling him onto his hips; as the attacker continues to pull he
will straigthen his knees throwing the defender over and onto his back;
koshinage can be done from either and inside or outside grip and it is
very rare in ozumo
koshiwari, some kind of practice
kosho, rikishi's injury during honbasho which leads to kosho seido
kosho seido, arrangement which allowed rikishi who was injured during a honbasho torikumi to maintain his rank in the next honbasho (but only in one) despite the fact that he may have
had to skip a whole honbasho due to the injury, rule was
abolished in 2004, see kyujo, tochu-kyujo, zen-kyu, yasumi
koshou, pepper
kosho-yasumi, absence under the kosho status
ko-taishi, crown prince, see tenno
kote, tying aite's upper arm
kote, forearm
kotehineri, armlocking twist down, kimarite in which the attacker has wrapped his arm around aite's inside gripping arm and from that position locks that arm at aite's biceps or elbow and twists him around and down in the direction of that inside arm; attacker's other arm can be on aite's back, around his head or on the mawashi; one of the twelve kimarite added in the 2001 winning kimarite list expansion; not seen in ozumo so far
kotenage, armlock throw, kimarite in which the attacker will throw his aite by wrapping his arm around the aite's
inside gripping arm, locking it up on or near the elbow and turning
away from him; sometimes used as a last ditch attempt to win at the tawara; dangerous move to aite's arm and has in fact caused many elbow and shoulder injuries
koto, musical instrument with thirteen strings, held on the floor and resembles zither; traditionally first part of the shikona of Sadogakate-beya's rikishi inheritance of Kotobiki-jinja in Kagawa prefecture
kotodama, mystical characteristics of Japanese language
Koto-ku, district of Tokyo where Ajigawa-, Asahiyama-, Kitanoumi-, Nakadachi-, Oguruma-, Oshiogawa- and Taiho-beya are located, see Mantoku-in
kougou(heika), Empress
kouseki, merits
koushou, see kosho
koyori, lottery tickets indicating the order of kettei-sen and tomoe-sen torikumi
kozumatori, ankle pick, the most common form of this kimarite has the attacker leaning into his aite while attempting a forward drive; as he is moving forward he will slide his hand down his aite's
leg from the outside, grabbing it at the ankle or the base of the calf;
he will then pull that ankle towards him and up while driving his body
into his aite forcing him over onto his back; a
variation of this technique has the attacker pulling on the same ankle
or calf from behind his aite; one of the twelve kimarite added in the 2001 winning kimarite list expansion
kozumo, "little sumo", (historical?) tournaments at Yasukuni shrine for those who didn't exceed the height limit and couldn't enter ozumo
kubi, wrapping arm around aite's neck
kubi, neck
kubihineri, head twisting throw, kimarite in which the attacker will wrap one hand around his aite's neck; with his other hand he will grab aite's inside gripping arm; the attacker will then drive the hand gripping the aite's neck in the direction that hand's palm is facing and twists aite into the clay; this is considered a power technique and is very rare
kubinage, headlock throw, kimarite
which is almost identical to a technique of the same name found in all
combative arts that include any kind of grappling; the attacker will
turn into his aite and throws him by wrapping one arm around his neck as he turns: the attacker's other hand is usually gripping the aite's arm furthest from him from the outside; in ozumo this kimarite has hardly ever offensive significance; it is usually made from a defending position, often as a last resort; kubinage is also sumo slang for having sex due to the neck embracing position
Kugatsu Basho, honbasho in September, see Aki Basho
kuisagari, way of defending from aite's attack often used by small rikishi by pushing one's head against the attacker's chest and taking the mae-mitsu grip on his mawashi and simultaneously lowering one's pelvis, compare with atama wo tsukeru
kui-sagaru, v., to resort to kuisagari
Kumagatani, heya which is no longer active
Kumagatani, myoseki which belongs to Oshima-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Kumagaya, heya which is no longer active
Kumamoto, prefecture
Kumegawa, heya which is no longer active
Kumegawa, myoseki which belongs to Sadogatake-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
kumi, collective term for different pulling techniques, compare with hanare
kumi-kata, position of hands on aite's mawashi or body; struggle for achieving a better position, see kumite
kumite, the exact (e.g. the number of mawashi layers under each finger) position of the rikishi (kumi-kata) when a mizu-iri is called that is memorized by the gyoji who after mizu-iri attempts to duplicate kumite as closely as possible to minimize the effect of mizu-iri on the kekka of torikumi
kumu, v. to grab, see kunde sumo wo toru
-kun, suffix added to the names of people
of the same age or younger (classmates etc.); nowadays can be used with
women's names as well, compare with -sama, -chan, -zeki, -san, -oyakata
kunde sumo wo toru, sumo where the bodies of the rikishi are in contact with each other, see yotsu-zumo, compare with hanarete sumo wo toru
Kunitachi-shi, district of Tokyo where Araiso-beya is located
kunroku, "9-6", ozeki incapable of holding the honour of his exalted rank by often failing to score double-digit wins in honbasho let alone striving for yokozuna promotion; goes often kadoban even without injuries and is likely to eventually lose his rank, see sekizeki
kun-yomi, Japanese reading of a kanji, see on-yomi
Kuramae Kokugikan, small sumo museum at Ryogoku Kokugikan
kuri, chestnut
kuroboshi, "black star", mark drawn on hoshitorihyo indicating loss in torikumi, compare with shiroboshi, see kinboshi, ginboshi, yasumi
kuro-busa, black decorative knot (busa) that hangs above northwestern corner of dohyo symbolizing the black turtle (tortoise?) Genbu and winter, see aka-busa, shiro-busa, ao-busa
kurobusa-shita, northwestern corner of dohyo
kusen, close torikumi
kyakuseki, historically a rikishi whose rank was for some time artificial since he had entered the kyokai from some other sumo organization, see besseki, compare with makushita tsukedashi
kyodai, brother, see kyodai-deshi
kyodai-deshi, rikishi of the same heya
Kyojin
kyokai, see Nihon Sumo Kyokai
kyokai ryohi, travel allowance paid to the sekitori according to their rank for each honbasho held outside Tokyo, see chiho-basho
kyokai-zeikin, kyokai taxes
Kyoshujo, Sumo Training School, sumo school operating at the Kokugikan (?)
Kyoto, prefecture and Japan's former capital of almost 1.5 million people
kyougi, as such a neutral word for any kind of meeting; in the context of ozumo a meeting initiated by a mono-ii performed by a shimpan or several or very exceptionally by a hikae-rikishi about whether the gyoji's decision about the kekka of the torikumi should be upheld or not, see torinaoshi, gunbaidoori, sashi-chigae
kyu, less prestigious class of the two overall classes of amateur sumo, divided into subclasses, 1.kyu, 2.kyu,..., 10.kyu which is the lowest rank, compare with dan
kyujo, injury; injured rikishi forced either to skip a whole honbasho (zen-kyu) or retire from a honbasho due to an injury sustained during it (tochu-kyujo), see kosho seido, yasumi
kyukin naoshi, wage correction (?)
kyuukin naoshi no ichiban
Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan, see Fukuoka
Kyushu Basho, honbasho held in Fukuoka in November on the island of Kyushu; famous for the exceptional enthusiasm of the audience
Kyushu-basho bucho, bucho responsible for Kyushu Basho held in Fukuoka
Kyushu-basho tanto bucho, see Kyushu-basho bucho
Kyoto, prefecture
kyuyo
kwan, ancient Japanese weight unit, about 3.8 kilograms
Machiyama, myoseki which belongs to Mihogaseki-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata
madamada, gyoji's repeated saying to other rikishi performing shikinihairu that his aite is already ready for tachiai and respectively to other rikishi that the other rikishi in not yet ready to begin torikumi
mada yo, mada yo, see madamada
maebukuro, see tate-mitsu
maegashira, fifth highest and lowest rikishi rank of the makuuchi division; in the banzuke also juryo rikishi are classified as maegashira; in principle any rikishi higher than mae-zumo level and lower than sanyaku can be considered a maegashira, see hiramaku, maegashira hitto, maegashira-joi, maku-jiri
maegashira hitto, two highest ranked maegashira (higashi maegashira mai-me 1 and nishi maegashira mai-me 1), compare with juryo hitto, binbou-gami
maegashira-joi, about ten highest ranked maegashira who have the hardest schedule in honbasho having to fight against all yaku-rikishi and each other
maekaki
mae-mawashi, rikishi's two-handed grip on his aite's mae-mitsu
mae-mitsu, grip on aite's mawashi at his stomach area, classified as an oshi technique; also mawashi's horisontal part on the front side, see yoko-mitsu, tate-mitsu
mae-sabaki, preconceived bout plan
maesabaki ga ii, rikishi who is skillful in avoiding oshi and ottsuke and often gets his favourite grip on his aite's mawashi
mae-seki
mae-tatemitsu, mawashi's vertical part on the rikishi's front side by which grapping is illegal both in ozumo and in amateur sumo causing immediate kuroboshi, see yoko-mitsu, mae-mitsu, ato-tatemitsu
maeuri, advance sales of tickets for the upcoming honbasho
maezumo, kind of seventh ozumo division where are ranked those wrestlers who don't yet have an official banzukeranking in the lowest jonokuchi division or to which wrestlers who have previously had a banzuke ranking might drop because of injuries or unusually bad results
Magaki, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Wakanohana II; located in Sumida-ku
Magaki effect, situation contrary to Futa factor where do-beyas have to face higher ranked aite because of heya-betsu so-atari rule; named after situation in 1997 amongst Magaki-beya rikishi (Wakanojo, Gojoro and Yamato all at the bottom of makuuchi division)
mage, rikishi's hair-do; inheritance of the 19th century, see oh-ichoh-mage, chonmage, tokoyama, bintsuke
magebo
mage-yui, hairdressing of the rikishi prepared by the tokoyama
maguro, tuna
mai-me
Mainichi Shimbun, newspaper, see yusho-gaku
maisuu, remainder between shiroboshi and kuroboshi, determines rikishi's kakuage or kakusage and hence for most part rikishi's ranking in the next banzuke, see kachi-koshi, make-koshi
maiyukin, one-time honourific sum paid to a rikishi ascending to the rank of ozeki or yokozuna
majimekeiko, rikishi whose attitude towards keiko is exceptionally profound
make-doku, toriteki's kuroboshi in his (luckily gotten) eight honwari torikumi which doesn't affect negatively on his ranking in the next banzuke, compare with kachi-doku
make-koshi, majority of losses in honbasho, no more than seven shiroboshi in fifteen torikumi or three shiroboshi in seven torikumi; guarantees that there won't be kakuage (promotion) but almost always there will be kakusage (demotion), compare with kachi-koshi
makikae, see sashikae
makiotoshi, twist down, kimarite in which the attacker will throw his aite by twisting him towards his own, inside hand. When executing the throw, the attacker will not be gripping the mawashi.
makite, lit. losing hand
makke-kai, see sashikae
maku-jiri, the lowest ranked makuuchi division higashi maegashira who doesn't have similar mai-me ranked, nishi side rikishi because of odd-numbered amount of yaku-rikishi; term is also used for both higashi and nishi side maegashira when both lowest ranked mai-me maegashira are in banzuke
maku ni agaru, well-performed juryo rikishi who is likely to be promoted to makuuchi in the next banzuke
makushita, third highest ranked division of the six professional ozumo divisions; first one where kiyome-jiro is allowed in approximately ten torikumi prior to juryo division dohyo-iri in case there is enough time and in the five last torikumi after juryo division dohyo-iri; makushita can also refer to all four divisions below juryo
makushita-ika, makushita and below, toriteki
makushita-joi, thirty highest ranked rikishi in makushita division (HMs1-NMs15) amongst which it is possible to be promoted to juryo division with zensho yusho (7-0) or simple kachi-koshi (4-3 or better) if one is close enough to the top of the division and there are available slots in juryo for one reason or the other, compare with maegashira-joi
makushita joi goban, see joi goban
makushita-kaku, gyoji who referees makushita torikumi
makushita tsukedashi, very successful amateur rikishi who is allowed to start ozumo at the bottom of third highest division (makushita) or even at rank makushita 15 (makushita 15 tsukedashi)
makunouchi, see makuuchi
makuuchi, highest ranked division of ozumo and naturally most popular, league of forty top men since 1991 (previously 38)
makuuchi besseki, see besseki
makuuchi juunen, period of ten years ranked in the makuuchi division; Japanese saying implying that enough is enough for anyone
makuuchi-kaku, gyoji who referees makuuchi torikumi where both rikishi are maegashira (or sometimes other one is from juryo), compare with sanyaku-kaku, tategyoji, fukutategyoji
makuuchi saiko yusho, honbasho victory in makuuchi division; saiko means "the best" indicating makuuchi division's superiority to lower divisions' yusho
mamemaki
mame-rikishi, child practising sumo, see kodomo-zumo, wanpaku-zumo
man-in onrei, way of thanking audience for its plentifulness, see oh-iri-bukuro, manin ore no taremaku
manin ore no taremaku, ribbons hanging above tsuriyane from the roof of the honbasho arena thanking audience for a sold-out day, see oh-iri-bukuro, man-in onrei
manjoo-ichi, unanimous decision which is the practically always the case concerning promoting ozeki to yokozuna since members of Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai who are against promotion and are in minority simply withdrawn from voting at all
Mantoku-in, temple located in Koto-ku; there are many graves of oyakata and tategyoji; in the areas of other nearby temples there are many more graves of persons linked to ozumo's history
Manzaikai, historical support association of the rikishi, compare with koenkai
masu-seki, expensive and second closest boxes from the dohyo with four floor seats, see zabuton, dekata, chaya, isu-seki, tachi-seki, tamari-seki, box seki, sunakaburi, jiyu-seki
masu, wooden box used in dai-kan-jo to measure the amount of silver and gold coins the oyakata and rikishi were entitled to twice a year
matanashi, gyoji's order to rikishi to begin torikumi without further delay, see jikan ippai
matawari, often painful stretching exercise where rikishi sits on the ground legs as wide apart as possible and then tries to lower his torso to touch the ground between his legs
Matsuchiyama, heya which is no longer active
Matsudo-shi, district of Chiba where Naruto-beya and Sadogatake-beya are located
Matsugane, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Wakashimazu, located in Funabashi-shi
matta, premature start of torikumi without mutual understanding with aite, according to new rule (since 1998) rikishi who commits two matta loses torikumi automatically although this rule has not been used, see jikan-mae
mattanashi kamaete, "Time's up, prepare yourselves"
mawari-komi, wrapping around aite somehow
mawashi, (dohyo mawashi), about 40 cm long, wide, one-coloured belt made out of silk cloth in case of sekitori and black cotton cloth in case of deshi; official colours for sekitori's silk mawashi are black, dark blue and purple but this rule is constantly broken and kyokai overlooks it as long as the mawashi is not too white; on the other hand even silver mawashi are in use nowadays, see sagari, kesho-mawashi, keiko mawashi, tsukebito, shimekomi, mae-mitsu, yoko-mitsu, tate-mitsu, maebukuro, mae-tatemitsu, ato-tatemitsu
mawashi uchiwa, exceptional situation where gyoji changes his mind about the kekka of torikumi after he has pointed winning rikishi's tozai side with his gumbai; sometimes this occurs when gyoji is temporarily mistaken of the tozai side of the clearly victorious rikishi
mawasu, v. to go or wrap around something
mechakucha ureshii, rikishi's surge of emotion and difficulty to maintain posture after getting ureshii-hoshi, lit. excessively, unreasonably happy
megumareta taikaku, "blessed physique", ideal body type
mei, "great", prefix used for emphasizing the successfulness of someone, for example exceptionally successful sekiwake can be called mei-sekiwake
Meidai, either Meiji or Nagoya University
Meiji, Emperor Mutsuhito's nengô (September 8th, 1868 - July 30th, 1912) during which yokozuna ranking became established to its present form
meijin-yokozuna, yokozuna known for his technical brilliance, see dai-yokozuna, lit. master yokozuna
meiseki, mistransliteration of myoseki
menko
menkyo, see yokozuna menkyo
(meritocracy), individual's success being based on his talent and skills, compare with age (seniority), heritage (aristocracy), wealth (plutocracy)
mezurashii, unusual, rare
miai kekkon, arranged marriage, see o-miai, nakoudo
miatte, see miawasete
miatte-miatte, see miawasete
miawasete, gyoji's request to rikishi to face each other and begin shikinihairu
Michinoku, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Kirishima, located in Sumida-ku
Mie, prefecture
migi, right, compare with hidari
migi-gata, western team in sechie-zumo, see hidari-gata, tozai
migikiki, rikishi who prefers right-sided grips, compare with hidarikiki
migi-sashi, see hidari-sashi
migi-uwate, right hand inside, left hand
outside grip, compare with hidari-uwate
migiyotsu, rikishis' grips on each others' mawashi so that right hands are inside, compare with hidariyotsu, see uwate, shitate, morozashi, ai-yotsu, kenka-yotsu, tokui-yotsu
Mihogaseki, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Masuiyama II, located in Sumida-ku; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo
mijuri
mikado, Emperor, see tenno
mikan, mandarin
mikka-me, third day of honbasho, see tournament days
miko, young unmarried women who work in shinto temples and wear white kimono and red hakama; they dance kagura dances and sell amulets
mikoshi, portable altar
minami, south, see kita, higashi, nishi
minami-kata, (nominally) southern side of dohyo
minami-kata shimpan, shimpan sitting on the south side of the dohyo
minarai, three-year learning period of a tokoyama student after which he gets a position as regular tokoyama at the rank 5-toh
Minato, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze-ichimon and is lead by moto-komusubi Yutakayama, located in Kawaguchi-shi; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo
Minatogawa, heya which is no longer active
Minatogawa, myoseki which belongs to Nishonoseki-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Minatoya
Minesaki, see Minezaki
Minezaki, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-maegashira (mai-me 2) Misugiiso, located in Sumida-ku
minna sumo ga suki, rikishi who has tendency to be part of exceptionally long torikumi due to his wrestling style, for example sekiwake Kotonowaka
mi-okuri, postponement of especially meaningful kakuage (promotion from ozeki to yokozuna or from sekiwake to ozeki) because sekitori at hand didn't (narrowly) pass the sometimes controversial prerequisites for the promotion
mirin, golden coloured, sweet risewine with low alcohol content used in Japanese kitchen
miso, light (shiro) or dark brown (hatcho) soya paste used in soups and sauces
misogi, purification ceremony
Misugisato, jun-toshiyori which belongs to Futagoyama-beya, see oyakata
mitokorezeme, triple attack force out, kimarite
which involves combining three separate attacks at the same time. While
the attacker attempts an inside leg trip with one leg, he will grab the
defender's other leg behind the thigh and try to pull that leg out from
under him. At the same time, he will drive his head into his aite's stomach or chest in order to force him backwards.
mitsu, another word for mawashi
mitsu-domoe no tatakai, tomoe-sen in which three rikishi participate
mitsu-domoe-sen, tomoe-sen in which three rikishi participate
Miyagi, prefecture
Miyagino, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-maegashira (mai-me 13) Chikubayama, located in Sumida-ku
Miyazaki, prefecture
mizuhaki-guchi, container into which chikara-mizu is sput
mizuhikimaku, curtain at the lower edge of tsuriyane symbolising motion of the clouds and passing of time; busa hang from the corners of mizuhikimaku, see agemaki
mizu-iri, break of about one minute after 4-5 minutes of fighting, usually ordered by jikan-gakari shimpan, if the torikumi exceptionally continues another 4-5 minutes gyoji or shimpan bucho usually proposes discontinuation of torikumi (mizu-iri niban-go torinaoshi)
mizu-iri niban-go torinaoshi, extremely rare decision by shimpan bucho according to which already once interrupted torikumi is interrupted again due to lack of initiative from both rikishi, in this case torikumi will begin all over again after two following torikumi, see torinaoshi
mizu-oke, chikara-mizu's container at the corner of dohyo, see shio-kago, chikara-gami, mizu-oke-dawara
mizu-oke-dawara, two hyo on both sides of the dohyo placed under mizu-oke
mizu-suke, see mizu-oke
mizu-taki, one of the two basic styles of chankonabe in which food is boiled and dipped to various kind of sauces, see soppu-daki
mochi, rice cake, traditional food on New Year's Eve; yokozuna often demonstrate how to make mashed rice with traditional wooden equipment in promotional material like calendars, see surikogi
mochi-kyukin, basic unit of the hoshokin system that defines the income of any given active rikishi
mochi-tsuki
mo gomen, words on top of the middle column of banzuke which were used to indicate the presence of gomen fuda
Momi
Mombu-sho, Education, Science and Culture Ministry under which kyokai operates
Mombu Daijin-sho, trophy to yusho winning rikishi given by Minister of Education (Mombu Daijin)
Mongoru no ookami, "Mongolian wolf", nickname of yokozuna Asashoryu
mono-ii, raise of hand(s) by a shimpan or on extremely rare occasion hikae-rikishi to indicate a will to discuss amongst shimpans whether kekka ruled by gyoji was correct
monoii, see mono-ii
montsuki, festive kimono which has its owner's kamon; when rikishi wears montsuke they also wear oh-ichoh-mage hairdo
morodashi, very rare unraveling of mawashi during torikumi which automatically results in kuroboshi, see hansoku, fujomake
morote-tsuki, evidently synonym for morotsuki
morohazu, push targeted at aite's both armpits simultaneously
morohazu-dashi, see morohazu
morotsuki, two-handed tsuki, see teppo
morozashi, advantageous grip on aite's mawashi so that arms and hands are inside aite's arms making it impossible or very hard for aite to take a grip on mawashi, see hidariyotsu, migiyotsu, uwate, ryo-shitate, soto-yotsu, kannuki
moshiai-geiko, form of practise where winning rikishi continues to fight against rikishi who he has picked from the bunch of rikishi standing around dohyo until he loses, then the next rikishi does the same
moto, adj. former; used when referring to retired rikishi and his highest rank, for instance present Futagoyama Oyakata achieved the rank of ozeki while active wearing shikona Takanohana (I) so he can be referred as moto-ozeki Takanohana (I)
moto-yui, ribbon made out of washi paper and hardened with wax; tokoyama ties oh-ichoh-mage up with moto-yui
motsureru sumo, expression used for exceptionally persistent rikishi's sumo
motsureru sumo wa omoshiroi, expression according to which characteristics for good sumo is the difficulty in naming the winner
mottoi, see moto-yui
Mou-Gyu, "brave bull", moto-yokozuna Kotozakura's (Sadogatake Oyakata) nickname describing his all-out tachiai
moushiai, see moshiai-geiko
muika-me, sixth day of honbasho, see tournament days
mukiryoku, spiritless or even fixed torikumi, see gachinko, chubon, yaocho, chusha, kiryoku
mukiryoku zumo, spiritless way of fighting without really pursuing shiroboshi; expression was taken into use by the mayor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara at the 1960's after seeing torikumi between Taiho and Kashiwado; raises naturally suspicions of yaocho
mukou, adj. opposite
mukou-jomen, audience section of the southern side of dohyo
mukou shimpan, see minami-kata shimpan
muko-yoshi, adoption system that for example might be used in a situation where an oyakata who has no son takes his most successful deshi to the heir of his heya; apparently usually the adoptee becomes the adopter's son-in-law as well
mukozuke, area of neck and upper torso where rikishi usually aims at in tachiai
mune wo dasu, butsukari-geiko where higher ranked rikishi pushes the lower ranked rikishi, compare with mune wo kasu, see mune wo kariru
mune wo kariru, v. to act as sparring partner, younger rikishi's chance to practise butsukari-geiko with an older rikishi, see mune wo kasu, mune wo dasu
mune wo kasu, butsukari-geiko where higher ranked rikishi lends his chest to lower ranked rikishi, compare with mune wo dasu, see mune wo kariru
murui-rikishi, rikishi who didn't reach the rank of yokozuna for whatever reason but who made an unforgettable impact on people at their time and whose shikona are mentioned next to those of yokozuna in Yokozuna Rikishi-Hi memorial
musabetsu-kyu, open class; match schedule without weight classes; ozumo uses that contrary to amateur sumo; concept is mainly used in reference to judo's open class
Musashigawa, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Mienoumi, located in Arakawa-ku
mushi megame-ji, tiny writing used to write jonokuchi ranked rikishis' shikona in banzuke; name comes from the fact that many people need magnifying glass (mushi megame) to be able to read the fine print
muso, grip on aite's leg
musubi-no-ichiban, last torikumi of a tournament day where at least one yokozuna (provided that there are active yokozuna) fights; synonym uchidome, see musubi-no-mae, musubi-no-sanban
musubi-no-mae, penultimate torikumi of tournament day, see musubi-no-ichiban
musubi-no-sanban, last three torikumi of a tournament day, see musubi-no-mae, musubi-no-ichiban
myoji, last name, see namae
myoseki, fixed name and license collection of 105 toshiyori (and also any single license, see jun-toshiyori, toshiyori-kabu, ichidai toshiyori, todori
nagaimono ni makarero, rikishi's premature mental surrendering when facing stronger aite
Nagano, prefecture
Nagasaki, prefecture
nage, great number of various throwing techniques, see nage-waza
nage rempatsu, series of attempts to use different nage in order to break aite's balance, possibly successful
nageru, v. to throw, see nage
nage-shugi, spectators' custom to throw all sorts of items onto dohyo in the heat of excitement after popular rikishi's victory; custom was forbidden at the beginning of the last century, compare with zabuton no-gakkai
nage-waza, twelve throwing techniques (throws which include grip on aite's mawashi) of the original 48 kimarite (shijuu-hatte), see hineri-te, kake-waza, sori-te
Nagoya, host city of July honbasho
Nagoya Basho, honbasho in Nagoya in July; exception concerning the formula of date for shonichi, usually shonichi is already the first Sunday of July and not the second Sunday of an odd month as is the case with other honbasho
Nagoya-basho bucho, bucho responsible for Nagoya Basho
Nagoya-basho tanto bucho, see Nagoya-basho bucho
Nagoya-Zumo
Naichi, Hokkaidonese expression for the rest of Japan
naka-aratame, four referees who used to sit on the corners of dohyo their backs against shihon-bashira; since 1930 five shimpan who sit around the dohyo have replaced naka-aratame
nakabi, eighth day of honbasho, the middle point of tournament, always Sunday, see tournament days
Nakadachi, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-komusubi Ryogoku, located in Koto-ku
Nakagawa, heya which is no longer active
Nakagawa, myoseki which belongs to Oitekaze-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
nakago, handle of sword
nakairi, breaks which interrupt tournament day in between divisions after torikumi in one division have been finished and the next division is preparing to perform their dohyo-iri or preparing in general; in makuuchi division there is also nakairi when half of the torikumi has taken place, during this nakairi shimpan-iin is changed (shobu shimpan kotai); often used particularly for the break between juryo and makuuchi, sometimes as all the torikumi in the two highest divisions, see zen-han-sen, ko-han-sen
nakairi-go, adj. post-nakairi, used as reference to makuuchi torikumi
Nakamura, heya which belongs to Takasago-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Fujizakura, located in Edogawa-ku, originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
Nakano-ku, district of Tokyo where Futagoyama-beya is located
nakayoshi, close friend
naki-zumo, ancient ritual where a rikishi holds in his lap a male child less than a year old and tickles him in an effort to make him cry while a gyoji participates in the effort by wearing a frightening mask, compare with akachan dohyo-iri, kodomo-zumo, wanpaku-zumo
nakoudo, spokesman for marriage (often two), see o-miai, miai kekkon
namae, given name, see myoji
namako, sea cucumber, nickname of yokozuna Asahifuji Seiya
namakura-yotsu, yotsu-style preferring rikishi who doesn't favour either of his hand over the other, in other words he doesn't pursue primarily to get hidari-yotsu nor migi-yotsu and hence doesn't have tokui-yotsu; namakura-yotsu is in a way disadvantageous feature during yotsumi because his aite can often get his tokui-yotsu while he himself doesn't have even theoretical chance to respond to aite's tokui-yotsu by taking his own tokui-yotsu (since he doesn't have one!), although the flip side of coin is that he can often force his aite to have some other grip than his tokui-yotsu and doesn't suffer from this arrangement due to his feature of being namakura-yotsu rikishi
Namida no Kanto-sho, movie about ozeki Nayoroiwa's life, made in 1956, lit. Kanto-sho of Tears
Nanatsumori, heya which is no longer active
Nanbu, old county where Yotsugamine-beya was located
Naniwa-ku, district of Osaka where Osaka Furitsu Taiikukan arena is located, see Haru Basho
nanoka-me, seventh day of honbasho, see tournament days
nanori, former term for yobidashi, see fure
Nara, prefecture
Narashino-shi, district of Chiba where Onomatsu-beya is located
Naruhodo Ozumo, original Japanese edition of quite detailed sumo book by Kitade Seigoro; Deborah Iwabuchi has translated the book into English under the title Grand Sumo Fully Illustrated
Naruto, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Takanosato, located in Matsudo-ku
NASR, see Nihon Amateur Sumo Remmei
nato
Natorigawa, heya which is no longer active
natsu, summer, see aki, fuyu, haru
Natsu Basho, honbasho in Kokugikan in May
natto, fermented soya
nebari, rikishi's ability to fight to the very end in torikumi hoping his aite who is in upper hand will succumb to crucial mistake eventually, Akinoshima is a good example of such tenacious rikishi
Negishi, heya which is no longer active
Negishi, toshiyori which kyokai cancelled from the family of Negishi in 1951; traditionally Negishi family had been responsible for writing and delivering of banzuke, see negishi-ryu
negishi-ryu, conservative calligraphy style used for writing banzuke, see sumo moji
Nejigane, heya which is no longer active
neko-damashi, "cat's trick" used by moto-sekiwake Dewanishiki and moto-komusubi Mainoumi amongst others; trick is to clap one's hands together right in front of aite's face in order to distract him and induce natural eye-closing reflex in aite's central nervous system
nengô, reign era of each emperor and the name given to the a particular era
Nenkan Saita-sho
Nen-Matsu-Nen-Shi, festive season after the turn of year; kyokai takes this into consideration and publishes the banzuke of Haru Basho earlier than usual, see bonen-kai
Nerima-ku, district of Tokyo where Minezaki-beya is located
nesshin, zeal
netsuke, small sculptorial item which prevents the items suspended on obi from falling, see International Netsuke Society
newaza, some kind of technique used to withhold the aite from moving
NHK, national broadcasting company of Japan
niban-daiko, former custom of presenting sekitori by playing yagura-daiko, see ichiban-daiko
niban-go torinaoshi, see mizu-iri niban-go torinaoshi
niban shusse, rikishi candidates in the second round presentation of maezumo, compare with ichiban shusse and sanban shusse; they wear borrowed kesho-mawashi for this presentation, the only time they are allowed to do so before being promoted to a sekitori rank
Nichidai, university in Tokyo with the most famous amateur sumo club in Japan; many rikishi have entered ozumo from Nichidai; traditionally when former Nichidai student is promoted to sekitori level he will get a kesho-mawashi donated by Nichidai whose logo is embroidered in golden on cream white background
Nichidan Kodo, Nihon University Hall, the later name for the first Kokugikan
Nichiren Shoshu, see Sokagakkai
nicho, putting the foot outside the corresponding foot of aite
nichonage, body drop throw, kimarite
in which the attacker, working from either an inside or outside grip,
will place one leg in front of the defender's leg, usually at the knee,
as he turns to face the same direction the defender is facing. As the
attacker sweeps back with his leg he will pull forward, throwing the
defender over that extended leg.
nidanme, former name of the makushita division
nigate, aite against whom rikishi has had problems to win in the long run; especially higher ranked rikishi's problem to beat lower ranked rikishi but also used in the opposite case; for example Musoyama is Chiyotaikai's nigate, see aikuchi ga ii, aikuchi ga warui, tenteki
nigate-ishiki, rikishi's anticipation filled with fear when he has to face his nigate or some other rikishi he detests to face on the dohyo, compare with nagaimono ni makarero
nigiribasami
Nihon, Japan in Japanese
Nihon Amateur Sumo Remmei, see Nihon Sumo Remmei
Nihon Daigaku, Nichidai's official name
Nihongi, see Nihon Shoki
nihongo, Japanese language
Nihon Housou Kyoukai, see NHK
nihonjin, adj. Japanese, see gaijin
Nihon Shoki, ancient chronicle from the eighth century where there is the earliest written record on sumo from year 23 AD, see Kojiki
Nihon Sumo Kyokai, Japan's professional sumo association operating under Ministry of Education; founded in 1927 when 88 oyakata of Tokyo and 17 oyakata of Osaka were merged
Nihon Sumo Remmei, Japanin amateur sumo union
Niigata, prefecture
nijuudohyo, dohyo used circa 1897 - 1931; janome surrounding tawara had its own tawara surrounding it
nikaisen, second round of those jungyo tournaments that are held in a cup format, see ikkaisen, sankaisen, jun-jun-kessho, jun-kessho, kessho-sen
niku-bakudan, "meat bomb", less benevolent nickname for moto-ozeki Konishiki Yasokichi
niku-dango, meatball
nimaigeri, ankle kicking twist down, kimarite; As the attacker pulls his aite
up and into him, he will kick the defender's legs out from under him by
striking with the sole of his foot to the outside of the defender's
ankle. The sweep is left to right or right to left. As the attacker
initiates the necessary footwork, he will use his upper body to throw
or twist the defender onto his side or back.
nimai-kansatsu, historically a rikishi who had become a toshiyori while still continuing his active career, see dojo
ninjin, carrot
ninki, adj. popular; fame
ninniku, garlic
Nippon, see Nihon
Nippon Hoso Kyokai, see NHK
niramiai, intense staring by rikishi during shikkiri in order to gain psychological advantage over aite
ni-sei, second generation emigrant, for example moto-maegashira Toyonishiki whose parents moved to USA
nishi, west, western; the less prestigious side of banzuke, see higashi, tozai, kita, minami
nishi hanamichi, path to the dohyo from western side of shitaku-beya, see higashi hanamichi
Nishiiwa, heya which is no longer active
Nishiiwa, myoseki which belongs to Taiho-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
nishi-kata, (nominally) western side of dohyo
nishi-kata shimpan, shimpan sitting on the western side of dohyo
Nishikido, heya which belongs to Takasago-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Mitoizumi
nishikie, postcard displaying rikishi
Nishikijima, heya which is no longer active
Nishikijima, myoseki which belongs to Tokitsukaze-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
nishi no kachi, victory of the rikishi on the western side
nishi yokozuna, second highest ranked rikishi in banzuke in case there are at least two yokozuna on banzuke, see higashi yokozuna, sei
Nishonoseki, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead my moto-sekiwake Kongo, located in Sumida-ku
Nishonoseki, one of the five ichimon; increasingly often this particular ichimon is called Nishonoseki-Futagoyama due to increased influence by Futagoyama-beya
niyaku, unofficial collective term for the ranks of sekiwake and komusubi, compare with sanyaku, maegashira-joi
nobori, big colourful sheets flapping in the wind during honbasho outside the tournament venue; the shikona of all participating sekitori (?) and their heya are printed on these sheets
nodo-wa, pushing aite's throat with hand whose thumb is separated from the rest of the hand, compare with hansoku
nokoru, rikishi's effort trying to stay inside dohyo as long as virtually possible
nokotta, gyoji's encouraging yell to rikishi indicating they are both still in and should keep on wrestling, also yell by which gyoji expresses he has proven the tachiai, see hakke-yoi
Nomi no Sukune, see Sukune
noren, clothes suspended on top of entrance doors in kitchens and restaurants
nori, dried alga which is often used with sushi
nozokaseru, rikishi's failed attempt to get a solid sashi on his aite's mawashi and the resulting weak grip on aite's side
nuke-nuke, rikishi's record in honbasho following win-loss-win-loss etc. formula
oban, rice paper on which copies of banzuke and ebanzuke are printed
obi, belt of a kimono, see waziyashi
Odake, heya which is no longer active
Odake, myoseki which belongs to Taiho-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Oginohana, jun-toshiyori which belongs to Dewanoumi-beya, see oyakata
Oguruma, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Kotokaze, located in Koto-ku
ofuro, bath (where tsukebito assist sekitori)
Ohashi, heya which is no longer active
Ohayo Nippon, NHK's morning broadcast which covers ozumo quite thoroughly during honbasho
oh-ichoh, see oh-ichoh-mage
oh-ichoh-mage, sekitori's and yumitori's hair-do resembling ginkgo leaf; worn in official occasions including torikumi; when fighting against juryo rikishi or in shokkiri also makushita ranked rikishi (and even lower ranked ones in shokkiri) can wear oh-ichoh-mage, see tokoyama, bintsuke, mage, chonmage, montsuki
oh-iri-bukuro, formal 10 yen fee to the employees of honbasho arena every time tournament day is sold out, see man-in onrei
Oikaze, earliest gyoji mentioned by name from May 1699; evidently used as an general term for a status equivalent to present rijicho
oiri manin fudadome, capacity all sold out
oiri onrei, thanking the audience for being full to capacity
Oita, prefecture
Oitekaze, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-maegashira (mai-me 2), located in Soka-shissä, prefecture of Saitama
oji-san, uncle or an elder man
okamisan, oyakata's (shisho's) wife who takes care of heya's errands and practical organising, virtually everything except the coaching of the rikishi; acts also as a mother figure to the young rikishi in the heya; okamisan's tasks can be taken care of by someone else than shisho's wife but that is very rare
okane, coin
Okayama, prefecture
Okido, heya which is no longer active
Okinawa, Japan's southernmost island quite far away from Japan's main islands; before WWII an independent state (?), nowadays prefecture
Okinawa-zumo
Okudaira, heya which is no longer active
okuri, pushing aite from behind, part of some kimarite
okuriashi, rikishi's step out while carrying aite over the tawara, not interpreted as isamiashi, compare with kabai-te
okuridashi, rear push out, kimarite in which the attacker will drive his opponent out from behind.
okurigake, rear leg trip, kimarite
in which the attacker, having worked his way behind the defender, will
hook one of his legs around one of the defender's legs. From this
position, he will pull that hooked leg towards him, dropping his
opponent forward and down. This technique can be done from either an
inside or outside hooking position; one of the twelve techniques added
in the 2001 winning technique list expansion
okurihikiotoshi, rear pull down, kimarite
in which the attacker has circled behind the defender. From any one of
a number of gripping positions he will backpedal away from the
defender, dragging him back and down; one of the twelve techniques
added in the 2001 winning technique list expansion
okurinage, rear throw down, kimarite
in which the attacker has circled behind the defender. Standing behind
the defender, using any one of several possible hand positions, he
throws the defender forward and down or to the side and down. The key
point to this technique is the attacker's position in relationship to
the defender at the time of the throw; one of the 12 techniques added
in the 2001 winning technique list expansion
okuritaoshi, rear push down, kimarite
in which the attacker forces his opponent down from behind with the
match usually ending before the opponent is forced over the edge.
okuritsuridashi, rear lift out, kimarite
in which the attacker has managed to circle around the defender. From
any one of a number of possible grips, he will drop his hips, lift the
defender up and carry him over the edge of the ring. Because both of
the defender's feet are in the air, the attacker can cross the edge of
the ring with one foot before the defender's feet cross over without
losing the match; one of the 12 techniques added in the 2001 winning
technique list expansion
okuritsuriotoshi, rear lifting body slam, kimarite
in which the attacker having circled around behind the defender will
lift his opponent up using any one of several possible grips and then
slam him down; one of the twelve techniques added in the 2001 winning
technique list expansion
Old Guy, The, old gentleman, antique shopkeeper Nakamura who always sits on the same seat during Fukuoka honbasho and is equipped with a Hinomaru fan; he lives along with torikumi so passionately that one often forgets whole torikumi while observing his enthusiasm and fan-waving
omata, thigh scooping body drop, kimarite
in which the defender will attempt to block an overarm or underarm
throw by taking a deep step forward with the foot furthest from the
attacker's throwing arm. As the defender steps forward, the attacker
will grab that leg from the inside with his free hand and lift it up
and backwards. As he does this, he will drive his body into the
defender's, forcing him over onto his back.
o-miai, arranging of marriage by nakoudo, see miai kekkon
omiyage-ya, souvenir shop
omiyage, souvenir
on, honourific prefix
Onaruto, heya which is no longer active
Onaruto, myoseki which belongs to Nakadachi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
o-nii-chan, big brother; moto-yokozuna Wakanohana III's nickname in media, see otooto-chan
onna-zumo, obscene "sumo" performed in brothels where prostitutes fought against each other or against blind men; absolute taboo in ozumo society
Onoue, myoseki which belongs to Taiho-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Onogawa, heya which is no longer active
Onogawa, myoseki which belongs to Kitanoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
Onomatsu, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-beya and is lead by moto-sekiwake Masurao, located in Narashino-shi
onsen, hot fountain
on wo kaesu, returning a favour (in a possible yaocho?)
on-yomi, Chinese reading of a kanji, see kun-yomi
oogata, gigantic rikishi
oomata, see omata
Osaka, prefecture
Osaka, the host city of March honbasho
Osaka Basho, honbasho in Osaka in March, see Haru Basho
Osaka-basho tanto bucho, see Ozeka-basho bucho
Osaka Furitsu Taiikukaikan, arena where the Osaka Basho is held in March; capacity 7474 spectators
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, English name for the venue of March honbasho
Osaka Sumo Kyokai, competing sumo organisation to kyokai in the early 1930's which faded away quite soon though, founded by sekiwake Tenryu who resigned from ozumo (despite persuation to stay from high profile people) after all the rikishi who followed him returned to Nihon Sumo Kyokai
osakate, backward twisting overarm throw, kimarite
which would most commonly be seen at the edge, used by the attacker as
he digs in. From a deep, standard outside grip, the attacker will bend
backwards and swing his opponent around and out in the direction of
that outside gripping hand; one of the 12 techniques added in the 2001
winning technique list expansion
Osaka-Zumo
osamemono, see shizumemono
osandon-sumo, "kitchen sumo", historically torikumi held on the tenth and final honbasho day which weren't attended by the makuuchi division rikishi and could be spectated by women as well
oshi, pushing aite backwards maintaining hand contact at all times without having grip on aite's mawashi, part of many kimarite, see ottsuke, maesabaki ga ii, compare with tsuki
o-shibori, hot, moistened hand towel
oshidashi, frontal push out, kimarite in which the attacker pushes his aite out of the dohyo without gripping the mawashi. Unlike tsukidashi (frontal thrust out) the attacker must maintain hand contact at all times. One of the most common techniques in sumo and popular with tsuki/oshi (pushing/thrusting) specialists.
Oshima, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-ozeki Asahikuni, located in Sumida-ku
O-shin Keiko Soken, see soken
Oshiogawa, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Daikiri, located in Sumida-ku; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo
oshiri, buttocks
oshitaoshi, frontal push down, kimarite similar to tsukitaoshi (frontal thrust down) this technique has the attacker pushing his aite backwards and then over.
oshi-zumo, sumo concentrated on various pushing techniques, often preferred by big, technically challenged rikishi who rely on their mass and power, compare with yotsu-zumo, namakura-yotsu
oshogatsu, see shogatsu
osu, v. to push, see oshi
osumo, see ozumo
osumo no uta, "sumo song", children's playful name for Kimigayo
osumo-san, sumo wrestler, rather unofficial term for rikishi, see sumotori
otoko, local rikishi; for example ozeki Kaio Hiroyuki is a Kyushu otoko since he is from Kyushu island and gets exceptionally enthusiastic support in November honbasho which is fought in Kyushu
otoko-geisha, expression meaning rikishi; emphazising his independence from his tanimachi and tomonokai
otoshi, falling aite to his side or stomach
otooto-chan, little brother; yokozuna Takanohana II's nickname in media, see o-nii-chan, also synonym to the following term
otooto-deshi, do-beya who has become into heya later, compare with ani-deshi
Otowayama, myoseki which belongs to Futagoyama-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
otsu
ottsuke, pushing aite's
arm aimed at one's own armpit aside and upwards from the outside and
simultaneously closing one's own armpit by pressing one's own arm
firmly against the side; ottsuke is most efficient when aite's arm remains useless while the pushing of it makes also aite's centre of gravity rise, see oshi, maesabaki ga ii
oyaji, father, boss
oyaji-kusai
oyakata, one of the 105 (+2) coaches; there can be several oyakata in the same heya, see shisho, toshiyori-kabu, okamisan, ichidai toshiyori, riji, heya-mochi no oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata
-oyakata, suffix added to the names of the oyakata, see -sama, -chan, -zeki, -kun, -san
oyakoko, child's obligation to respect his or her parent, especially that of son towards his father; in the context of ozumo rikishi's obedience to his oyakata
Oyama, heya which is no longer active
Oyama, myoseki which belongs to Takasago-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
oyane, see tsuriyane
Ozeka-basho bucho, bucho responsible for Haru Basho in Osaka
ozeki, champion, second highest rank in ozumo; it is impossible to lose ozeki rank on the basis of the record in one honbasho, see kadoban, kunroku, sanyaku, yokozuna, sekiwake, komusubi, yokozuna-ozeki, hote
ozeki gojokai, yaocho arrangement allegedly active in 1980's where ozeki and yokozuna bought torikumi from lower ranked rikishi when they had a poor start in honbasho and lower ranked rikishi bought torikumi
from each other so that no-one suffered too many losses; it is claimed
that this arrangement was so common that certain person (moto-sekiwake Sakahoko, present Izutsu Oyakata) was needed to keep records of all the fixed torikumi, see chubon, mukiryoku
ozeki-kai, association of present and former ozeki
ozeki ni kano, formerly an expression for the winner of last torikumi of senshuraku no matter what the actual rank of the winner was, see kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), yaku-zumo ni kano, sekiwake ni kano, komusubi ni kano
ozeki-tori
ozewake, humorous expression for sekiwake who repeatedly pursues promotion to ozeki but always fails, compare with sekizeki
ozumo, professional sumo wrestling, "grand sumo", Japan's national sport, nowadays ozumo is used to refer to six professional sumo divisions organised by kyokai
Ozumo Jinbutsu Daijiten, very thorough reference book listing every possible person in the ozumo community in 2001 published by a magazine called Baseball Magazine Sha
O-zumo Johsetsu-Kan, first ozumo arena built in 1909 to Ryogoku district in Tokyo, see Ryogoku Kokugikan, Josetsukan
Ozumo Kono Ichi Nen-kan, NHK's annual program summing up year's ozumo
Ozumo no Jiten, sumo dictionary published by Sawada Isshin in 1995
Ozumo Rikishi Meikan, large book where rikishi all the way from Meiji period are presentated, published yearly by Naofuni Mizuno and Toshiharu Kyosu
Ozumo Sumo An-naisho, twenty chaya of Kokugikan
pachinko, sort of a noisy flipper popular in Japan; also many rikishi like playing pachinko in their spare time
PORIZ
(prefecture), Japan's gubernatorial unit since 1871; when rikishi is introduced to the honbasho audience, his home prefecture (shusshin-chi) is often mentioned
puro-resu, Japanese professional wrestling resembling American WWF; some (not many) rikishi have continued or changed their career and gone to puro-resu, for instance controversial moto-yokozuna Futahaguro
Raiden, heya which is no longer active
Raiden Journal, see Shokoku Sumo Hikae-cho
rakken, seal pressed to a shikishi used to verify the genuineness of sekitori's tegata
raku, see rakujitsu
rakujitsu, the last day of honbasho, see senshuraku
raman
ramen
rei, bow towards dohyo by the hikae-rikishi coming to dohyo's higashi-kata or nishi-kata; performed before taking seat onto his basho-buton (in case of sekitori) to wait for his torikumi to take place
reigi, manners expected from each rikishi without an exception; taught to new deshi by the wakaimonogashira
reigi-sahou, etiquette
reigi-tadashii, correct manners
Reiyukai, Buddhish sect whose members include Hanada family of Futagoyama-beya
rekidai-rikishi, presumably synonym for yokozuna
rengo, term presumably meaning the same as ichimon, lit. union
rengogeiko, see ichimon-geiko
renpai, consecutive kuroboshi, compare with rensho
rensho, consecutive shiroboshi, record is yokozuna Futabayama's rensho of 69 shiroboshi during 1936-39, winning streak ended in a kuroboshi to the future yokozuna Akinoumi due to a mistake by gyoji, compare with renpai
renzoku ju ketsu
renzoku yusho, consecutive yusho
retsuden, biography
riji, nine (rijicho is tenth) oyakata who have demanding assignments in kyokai, compare with bucho
rijicho, chairman of rijikai and the whole kyokai, the leading figure of ozumo, nowadays Tokitsukaze Oyakata (moto-ozeki Yutakayama Katsuo)
rijikai, board leading kyokai formed by the riji
rikiryo, exceptional power on the dohyo, a yokozuna quality
rikishi, "strong man", professional sumo wrestler, see sumotori
rikishi-kai, association of the sekitori
rikishi-nobori, see nobori
rikishi no tamago, "wrestler eggs", old, playful name for young fresh rikishi
rin, tenth of a bu (approx. 0.3 mm), see sen, shaku, jyoo
Rin-Ko, era during 1973 - 1977 dominated by yokozuna Wajima and Kitanoumi, see Haku-Ho, Tochi-Waka, Ake-Taka, Kita-Tama, Ki-Rin, jidai
ritsurei, law, statute, legal codes of the Nara and Heian eras based on Chinese models
rokudanme, apparently very rare, historical sixth (seventh if counted according to current division system) division, see nidanme, sandanme, shidanme, godanme
romaji, Western writing style not used much in Japanese writing
ronin, masterless samurai from whom the use of shikona
originates; nowadays ronin is a term for youngsters who haven't been
accepted into a university etc. or who deliberately spend one year
without studying
Ryogoku, part of Tokyo where Ryogoku Kokugikan is located
Ryogoku Kokugikan, main ozumo arena in Japan in Tokyo's southwest district Sumida-ku; taken into use in 1985, cost 10 billion yen to build, 13000 square metres, capacity of 11060 spectators; fourth of its kind; Hatsu Basho, Natsu Basho and Aki Basho are held there, see also Kuramae Kokugikan
ryo, old Japanese gold coin; also the basis of the name for ozumo's second highest division juryo (ten gold coins were the salary of a juryo division rikishi in old times), see jumaime
ryogoku-nantoka
ryokan, Japanese inn; rikishi specialized in cooking in heya sometimes open ryokan after haigyo, compare with izakaya, chanko-ya
ryou-maemawashitori, similar to mae-mawashi, see ryo-shitate, mae-mitsu
ryo mawashi wo totte no yori, style where rikishi takes two-handed grip on aite's mawashi and leads him backwards and out with yori; for example maegashira Hamanoshima prefers this style
ryome ga aita
ryo-shitate, getting both arms inside aite's arms; powerful position, see morozashi
ryo-sho
ryote o orosu, simultaneous touching of the dohyo with both hands by both rikishi at the end of shikinihairu where tachiai and torikumi itself are launched
ryouheika, Imperial couple
Ryugasaki-shi, part of Ibaraki where Shikihide-beya is located
saba, mackerel
sabaori, forward force down, a rare kimarite in which the attacker will have both hands on his aite's mawashi.
As he pulls the defender in, he will throw his weight high into and on
top of the defender. The force and weight applied will cause the
defender's knees to buckle under him.
Sadogatake, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Kotozakura; located in Matsudo-shi
Saga, prefecture
sagari, braids suspended on dohyo mawashi symbolising prohibitation to grab the front side on the vertical part of mawashi; sekitori's sagari is stiffened with funori and there are always odd number of sagari, often 19 but this varies between 13-25 depending on the size of the rikishi; lately the amount has decreased closer to 15; rikishi often change new sagari on nakabi at the middle point of honbasho, see hansoku
sagaru, v. to hang, to suspend, see sagari
sai, rare (?) synonym for kaeri
sai-juryo, rikishi who returns to juryo division after having been fighting in the lower makushita division or even lower, see kaeri, compare with shin-juryo
saiko, see makuuchi saiko yusho
saiko-ichi, expression in use since February 1909 indicating the more prestigious status of yokozuna rank compared to ozeki but at the same time it can also be interpreted that yokozuna is merely an honourary title granted to a successful ozeki which has been the general view for a long time perhaps recent times excluded, compare with saikokyu
saikokyu, expression in use since February 1909 used to indicate ozeki rank being less prestigious than yokozuna; however ozeki rank maintained its status in principle for instance maintained the right to act as captain of his tozai side, compare with saiko-ichi
sai-nyumaku, rikishi who returns to makuuchi division after having been fighting in juryo or lower division, see kaeri, compare with shin-nyamaku
saishutsujo, return of a rikishi to a honbasho from which he already has once retired in order to, for example, win a decisive torikumi or several to, say, ensure he won't be demoted to a lower division
Saitama, home city of Minato-beya
Saitama, prefecture
Sai Yushu Rikishi Sho, annual reward to rikishi evaluated to have been the best rikishi of the year; granted by Hochi Shimbun magazine since 1958
sajiki-seki, see masu-seki
sajikiya, presumably a shop selling sajiki-seki tickets
Sakaigawa, heya which is no longer active
Sakaigawa, myoseki which belongs to Dewanoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
sakaki, bushlike sacred tree in Shinto (Clereya japonica) whose branch is used somehow in the dohyo-biraki ceremony
sakatottari, arm bar throw counter, kimarite that is a counter to tottari (arm bar throw) usually seen at the tawara. As the rikishi attempting the technique frees the arm being barred, he will turn his hip closer to his aite's inward, forcing the aite to fall forward.
sake, rice wine, also salmon
sake de akarui, man who is good company during sake drinking session, perhaps on other occasions too
sakishibari
sakura, cherry blossom
-sama, suffix more formal than -san, see -chan, -zeki, -kun, -oyakata
samban-geiko, see sanban-geiko
samurai, warrior who belonged to military elite; some rikishi are still descendants of old samurai families, see ronin, bushido, katana, waziyashi
-san, suffix added to a name, closest equivalent expressions in English language would be sir/mr, madam/mrs, miss, see -sama, -chan, -zeki, -kun, -oyakata
sanban-geiko, series of multiple consecutive keiko torikumi between two rikishi
sanban shusse, rikishi candidates in the third round presentation of maezumo, compare with niban shusse and ichiban shusse; they wear borrowed kesho-mawashi for this presentation, the only time they are allowed to do so before being promoted to a sekitori rank
sanban-zumo, see sanban-geiko
sandan-gamae, rare ceremony perfomed on especially dignified occasions (such as the opening ceremony in the new Kokugikan) by two highest ranked rikishi and one gyoji
sandamme, see sandanme
sandanme, third lowest rank division of the six ozumo divisions; 200 rikishi
sandanme-kaku, gyoji officiating sandanme torikumi
Sangatsu Basho, honbasho in March, see Haru Basho
sangi-in, upper house of diet, see shugi-in
sankaisen, third round of those jungyo tournaments that are held in a cup format, see ikkaisen, nikaisen, jun-jun-kessho, jun-kessho, kessho-sen
Sanoyama, heya which is no longer active
Sanoyama, myoseki which belongs to Takasago-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
sanpachi, rikishi born in 1963
san-san
sansei
sansho, three awards granted to three well succeeded rikishi who are ranked below ozeki and have achieved kachi-koshi displaying sumo which entitles to any or even all three different sansho prizes; same sansho can be granted to more than one rikishi or on the other hand no one at all, see shukun-sho, kanto-sho, gino-sho
sanyaku, originally collective term for ozeki, sekiwake and komusubi but nowadays ozeki
is often regarded as an especially prestigious rank and therefore not
incorporated as part of sanyaku; on the other hand sanyaku is often
used as a collective term for all ranks above maegashira (yokozuna, ozeki, sekiwake and komusubi), compare with yonyaku
sanyaku-kaku, gyoji who officiates makuuchi torikumi where at least one of the rikishi is ranked as komusubi or higher but only rarely a yokozuna; should tategyoji be unable to officiate torikumi where yokozuna wrestles sanyaku-kaku act as a substitute, see makuuchi-kaku, tategyoji, fukutategyoji
sanyaku soroibumi, ritual preceding the last three hon-wari torikumi where three higashi and three nishi side high ranked rikishi, yokozuna included, display series of simultaneous shiko together (both tozai sides separately on their turn) on the dohyo, see kore yori san-yaku, tozai, yaku-zumo ni kano
sashi
sashiage-te
sashi-chigae, overruling and reversing decision by shimpan against the original ruling of gyoji concerning torikumi's kekka; sashi-chigae is quite negative occasion to gyoji and sashi-chigae are intensively observed, compare with torinaoshi, gunbaidoori, see mono-ii, kyougi
sashikae, rikishi's dangerous attempt to change grip from uwate to sashi by taking his hand off the aite's mawashi and then rapidly slip his hand between aite's arms and under his armpit on his mawashi; risky move which requires speed, technical skill and good timing
sashi katta, rikishi's success in getting sashi against aite who has the same tokui-yotsu, compare with sashi maketa
sashi maketa, rikishi's failure in getting sashi against aite who has the same tokui-yotsu and gets his sashi instead, compare with sashi katta
sashimi, raw fish sliced into thin pieces
sashite, lower arm, hand under aite's arm holding the mawashi, see uwate, shitate
sashite-arasoi, intense struggle by two rikishi who favour different tokui-yotsu and are trying to get their preferred grips on their aite's mawashi
sasu, pursued grip on aite's mawashi so that one's own hand is on the inside of aite's defense, see morozashi, kannuki, hidariyotsu, migiyotsu
sato, sugar
saya, scabbard of sword
sechie-zumo, sumo performed at the ancient Japanese imperial court as both a religious function and a form of entertainment, see gomen fuda
sei, additional attribute to the rank of yaku-rikishi indicating it belongs to one of the two prime holders of the rank in question, compare with haridashi
seigen jikan, time allocated to shikkiri before the beginning of torikumi; basically the higher the division the longer the time allocated to shikkiri, see jikan-gakari shimpan, seigen jikan ga ippai ni natta
seigen jikan ga ippai ni natta, gesture by jikan-gakari shimpan indicating the end of seigen jikan
Seiryu, see ao-busa
seiseki, see taisen seiseki
seitai
sei-yokozuna, collective term for higashi yokozuna and nishi yokozuna, compare with haridashi yokozuna, see yokozuna-ozeki, sei
seiza, sitting position where one's legs are crossed under one's body; only this way it is possible to have four people on the massu-zeki seats
Sekinoto, heya which is no longer active
Sekinoto, myoseki which belongs to Dewanoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
sekitori, rikishi who is at least of juryo rank; group of 66 elite wrestlers who get many privileges compared to lower ranked rikishi, see kesho-mawashi, akeni, -zeki, jumaime, dohyo-iri
sekiwake, third highest rikishi rank that can't be lost based on the results of a single honbasho, compare with sanyaku
sekiwake ni kano, old expression for the winner of second from last torikumi on senshuraku no matter what his real rank was, see kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), yaku-zumo ni kano, komusubi ni kano, ozeki ni kano
sekizeki, humorous expression for ozeki who is constantly struggling to uphold his ozeki rank, see kunroku, kadoban, compare with ozewake
sempai, see senpai
sen, hundredth of yen
senaka, back
Sendagawa, myoseki which belongs to Kasugano-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
Sendagawa, heya which is no longer active
sengoku jidai, era during which there aren't any clearly superior rikishi or even just one rikishi who would be dominating honbasho
and who would certainly rise to the highest ranks eventually; for
example the early years of 1990's when Chiyonofuji, Hokutoumi, Onokuni
and Asahifuji were already declining and new upcoming stars Akebono and
Takanohana weren't still ripe to make their breakthrough
(seniority)
senkyo
senpai, addressing name for older (in age or rank) rikishi, see ani-deshi, compare with kohai
senpo, senshu who fights first in the three member amateur sumo team, see taisho, chuken
senshu, amateur rikishi, sumotori; in larger context practioner of any sport, see Nihon Sumo Remmei
senshuraku, fifteenth and last day of honbasho, always Sunday, see tournament days
Senshuu Banzai Daidai Kanou, wish positioned at the left bottom corner of banzuke that no injuries would occur during the upcoming honbasho
sento, old expression for dohyo
seppuku, ritual suicide, see waziyashi
seri-agari, part of dohyo-iri where yokozuna rises from his crouch both palms pointed outwards (shiranui-gata) or left palm towards his torso and right palm outwards (unryu-gata)
Setsubun, February 3rd, last day of
winter when Japanese have a custom of eating roasted soya beans exactly
the same amount as is their current age counted with kazoe custom; during setsubun festivities rikishi symbolising power have a habit of throwing roasted soya beans to the audience; especially rikishi aged 24 or 36 (toshi otoko) are popular at this occasion
setta, leather soled sandals worn by the sekitori, see tabi, zori, compare with geta
sewagata, historical official who assisted heya participating in honbasho; probably present day sewanin is close to sewagata's task field, see torishimari, kensayaku, sodanyaku
sewanin, at most eight retired rikishi who belong to their own heya and who assist shisho, possible other oyakata and okamisan in the various tasks in heya; sewanin also act as assistants of wakaimonogashira for example during honbasho, jungyo and koen
Shakai-Fukushi Ozumo, annual charity ozumo tournament
shaku, Japanese unit of measure, foot (around 30 cm); in 1931 the diameter of dohyo was increased from 13 to 15 shaku, see rin, bu, sun, jyoo
Shashin-shuu Kirishima, 146-page photography collection book of Kirishima's career and life complementing Fumareta Mugi wa tsuyoku naru autobiography
-shi, suffix added to a name indicating something being official, but not really an honourific, see -sama, -chan, -zeki, -kun, -oyakata
Shibatayama, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Onokuni; located in Suginami-ku
shibugami, paper attached with tannic acid from kaki plum; used for stiffening akeni
shibusa, decorative knots in gyoji's costume
Shibuya, heya which is no longer active
Shichigatsu Basho, honbasho in July, see Nagoya Basho
shichimi, spice mix of seven peppers
shidanme, historical division; respective for present day jonidan
shide, more common term for the five zigzagging stripes hanging from tsuna symbolizing lightnings, see go-hei
Shiga, prefecture
shigin, historical singing style which is used by yobidashi when presenting the rikishi of next torikumi; shigin is also taught to rikishi
shihon-bashira, pillars supporting tsuriyane until September 1952; since 1858 those were decorated using same colors as busa are coloured nowadays, see aka-busa, ao-busa, kuro-busa, shiro-busa, mizuhikimaku, agemaki
shii-take, black breed of mushroom
shijuu-hatte, traditional 48 kimarite; nowadays there are 82 official kimarite, see sori-te, hineri-te, kake-waza, nage-waza, also isamiashi, koshikudake
Shikihide, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze-ichimon and is lead by moto-komusubi Oshio; located in Ryugasaki-shi; the last heya which was originally set up by a gyoji, see Kise
Shikimori, less prestigious of the two gyoji schools; recognised by their way of holding gumbai palm facing upwards whereas the Kimura hold gumbai palm facing downwards, see Kimura Shonosuke, Shikimori Inosuke, compare with Kimura
Shikimori Hidejiro, official name of Shikihide-beya, see Kimura Sehei
Shikimori Inosuke, second highest ranked gyoji (fukutategyoji); purple & white shibusa knots are distinctive feature of Shikimori Inosuke, compare with Kimura Shonosuke
shikinihairu, rikishis' crouching at tachiai
shikiri, preparation preceding torikumi where rikishi try to attain psychological advantage over their aite, see niramiai, kiyome-jiro
shikiri-naoshi, way of fixing (in advance?) the shikiri, possibly to start torikumi exceptionally before the preparation time is up
shikiri-sen, two embedded enamel lines on the dohyo; rikishi crouch behind these during shikinihairu in preparation for tachiai; size 6*90 cm, distance from each other has been 70 cm since May 1970, earlier it was 60 cm in 1928-1970
shikiri-shiki
shikishi, square white rigid paper with golden borders on which tegata are pressed, see hanko, incon
shiko, basic leg training exercise which is very characteristical for sumo; rikishi
raises his leg high to the side maintaining good posture and keeping
his leg as straight as possible, then he stamps his foot on the ground (fumi) with force and continues to perform the same for the other leg; rikishi sometimes do shiko hundreds of times in a row; while performed on the dohyo the meaning of shiko is to chase away bad spirits off the dohyo, see teppo-oshi, suri-ashi, butsukari-geiko, matawari
Shikoku, one of the four main islands of Japan
shikona, rikishi's wrestling name; the custom of using a special shikona was inherited from ronin; often rikishi's shikona reflects his heya, place of birth etc. some way; also rikishi's myoji (real family name) can be his shikona but this is quite rare (ozeki Dejima uses his myoji and moto-yokozuna Wajima was another famous rikishi who fought under his real name)
Shiko Funjatta, a sumo themed film, lit. I made a shiko
Shikoroyama, heya which is no longer active
Shikoroyama, myoseki which belongs to Sadogatake-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Shimane, prefecture
shimekomi, silken mawashi of the sekitori
shimekomu, v. to fasten into
shime-nawa, rope hung in front of a holy place reminiscent of tsuna
shimmei, see shinmei
shimmei-zukuri, see shinmei
shimpan, oyakata sitting on the side of dohyo; one at each cardinal point plus the head judge shimpan bucho; they observe torikumi and if necessary call up kyougi by raising their hands (mono-ii), see shimpan-iin, naka-aratame
shimpan-bu, board of 23 members in charge of the shimpan
shimpan bucho, bucho responsible for the actions of shimpan, highest ranked shimpan who acts as the head judge during ko-han-sen, chairman of shimpan-bu, see mizu-iri niban-go torinaoshi, shimpan-iin
shimpanbu-fukubucho, see shimpan-fuku-bucho
shimpancho, see shimpan bucho
shimpan-fuku-bucho, two vice shimpan bucho who act as shimpan bucho at juryo division torikumi and during zen-han-sen
shimpan-iin, collective term for the five shimpan who all belong to heya in different ichimon, see nakairi, shobu shimpan
shin, adj. new; prefix; for example shin-yokozuna, rikishi participating in his first honbasho as yokozuna, compare with kaeri
shin-bo, tenaciousness, determination, ability to repeat monotonous exercises like shiko and teppo-oshi hundreds of times in a row
Shinbou no rireki-sho, moto-sekiwake Mitoizumi Masato's jiden published in 1998
shindeshi, maezumo rikishi waiting to be accepted to ozumo
shindeshi kensa, medical examination for deshi who are coming into ozumo
shin-gi-tai, three characteristics a rikishi should fulfill; shin - heart, gi - technique, tai - body
shini-tai, "dead body", rikishi unfortunate enough to be crushed by his aite while both rikishi fall simultaneously; also rikishi at the receiving end during torikumi, see kabai-te
shin jinrui yokozuna, nickname for moto-yokozuna Futahaguro referring to his unusual attitude towards keiko, the status of yokozuna and the whole way of kakkai
shinji-zumo, form of sumo performed even now in many national festivities during autumn; the purpose is to thank gods for good harvest
shin-jo, rikishi who has come up from maezumo to jonokuchi according to former system (?)
shinjo shusse hiro, occasion co-ordinated by wakaimonogashira where deshi who have been accepted to ozumo are presented to audience; they wear borrowed kesho-mawashi during this ceremony which takes place on nakabi (during Osaka Basho there are three occasions because March is the traditional month for entering ozumo)
shin-juryo, rikishi who wrestles in juryo division for the first time and hence becomes a new sekitori, see shin-nyumaku
shin-ki-tai, the earlier form of shin-gi-tai; emphasized mental strength (ki) of rikishi
Shinkokugikan, "new" Kokugikan, sumo arena in Tokyo introduced in 1985; term is used when referring to this particular Kokugikan; there has been three similar buildings before
shin-kon-basho, rikishi's first honbasho after his wedding
shinkyaku, matawari exercise where the other leg is as straight as possible and the other leg is bent
shin-maku, see shin-nyumaku
Shinmei, see Kiritsuma, Irimoya
shinmei, double edged roof structure of a shinto shrine; shape of tsuriyane has been emulating shinmei since 1931
shin-nyumaku, rikishi who wrestles in makuuchi division for the first time; he is unofficially informed about his promotion to makuuchi before the official banzuke is released, see sai-nyumaku, maegashira, shin-juryo
Shino-shi, district of Chiba where Onomatsu-beya is located
shin-ozeki, rikishi who wrestles the first time in honbasho as ozeki, compare with kaeri-ozeki
shinpan, see shimpan
shinri-teki yusaburi, see tsukkake
shin-sanyaku, rikishi who wrestles the first time in honbasho in sanyaku rank (as a komusubi or a sekiwake)
shin-sumo, project initiated by WASF for furthering women's sumo as part of plan to make amateur sumo an Olympic sport
shinto, Japan's native, animistic religion which has influenced ozumo strongly, see kannushi
shin-yokozuna, rikishi who wrestles the first time in honbasho as yokozuna
shio, salt, see kiyome-jiro, shio-kago
Shioire, "salt shaker", apparently a nickname of moto-sekiwake Mitoizumi
shio-iri, see kiyome-jiro
shio-kago, salt buckets stationed on two corners of dohyo, filled by yobidashi when needed
shiomaki, see kiyome-jiro
shirakeru, v. to get bored, reaction by audience due to uninteresting torikumi picks
Shiranui, myoseki which belongs to Oshiogawa-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata; originally historic todori of Osaka-Zumo
shiranui-gata, the less common one of the two different yokozuna dohyo-iri styles consisting of only offensive moves; paradoxically yokozuna Unryu was the first to perform yokozuna dohyo-iri like this; two loops of tsuna are characteristical to shiranui-gata, see unryu-gata, kanreki yokozuna dezuiri
shirasaya
shirataki, sort of a noodle
Shiratama, heya which is no longer active
Shiratama, myoseki which belongs to Sadogatake-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
shiriken
shiroboshi, "white star", mark drawn on hoshitorihyo indicating win in torikumi, see kuroboshi, kinboshi, ginboshi, yasumi
shiro-busa, white decorative knot (busa) that hangs above southwestern corner of dohyo symbolizing the white tiger Byakko and autumn, see aka-busa, kuro-busa, ao-busa
shirobusa-shita, southwestern corner of dohyo
shirosankaku, white triangle denoting an injury in hoshitorihyo
shisho, leading oyakata and the owner of heya; his name is the same as heya's, for example Futagoyama Oyakata and Futagoyama-beya; there can be even more than half dozen oyakata in one heya, everyone of them has his own myoseki and kabu but there can only be one shisho in a heya, see heya-mochi no oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata
shisho-kai, association of the shisho
shita-obi, official term for fundoshi
shitaku-beya, locker room for rikishi divided into western and eastern side, see tozai, higashi hanamichi, nishi hanamichi
shitate, grip on mawashi under aite's arm, see uwate, migiyotsu, hidariyotsu, sashite
shitatedashinage, pulling underarm throw, kimarite, a throw done from an inside grip on the mawashi. As the attacker turns away from his aite, he will pull him forward and down into the clay with that inside hand.
shitatehineri, twisting underarm throw, kimarite done from an inside grip, the attacker will twist his aite down into the clay, pulling him in the direction of the inside hand.
shitatenage, underarm throw, kimarite, one of the most common throwing techniques in sumo, the attacker will pull straight down with his inside, gripping hand as he turns away from his aite.
shizen-tai
shizumemono, lucky items buried into dohyo during the dohyo-matsuri ceremony; washed rice, nuts of Torreya nucifera tree, salt, alga, chestnuts and a calmar
Shizuoka, prefecture
sho, win in a torikumi, compare with hai, see shiroboshi
shobu, synonym for torikumi (?)
shobu, ozumo's
nature as a competition sport as opposed to its ceremoniality and
traditional, national and religious aspects, lit. victory or defeat
shobu-ari, gyoji's yell to rikishi indicating the end of torikumi
shobu-atta, see shobu-ari
shobu-dawara, outer border of the circular area on dohyo dedicated to torikumi itself which is formed by the tawara embedded in clay, see kado-dawara, fumi-dawara, janome, hyo, agedawara, joubu-dawara
shobu-kekka, result of a torikumi including both the name and tozai rank of winning rikishi and definition of the torikumi ending occasion which usually is one of the 82 kimarite but which can also be fujomake, kinji-te, isamiashi or koshikudake, see kimarite-gakari
shobu shimpan, collective term for the shimpan who sit on the sides of dohyo at any given time, see shimpan-iin
shobu shimpan kotai, change of shobu shimpan at nakairi
Sho-Chiku-Bai, three tier ranking
system where sho (matsu, pine) is the highest, chiku (take, bamboo) is
the middle and bai (ume, plum) is the lowest rank
shocho, see Sumo Kyoshujo Shocho
shodai, first generation, founder
Shogakukan, publisher of scandal magazine Shukan Post
shogatsu, New Year's Day, rikishi's day-off
shogun, warlords who ruled Japan for centuries; daimyo were vassals of the shogun
shokkiri, usually humorous display of different kimarite performed by two often physically quite different deshi during jungyo tours, see hana-zumo, kinji-te
Shokoku Sumo Hikae-cho, ozeki Raiden Tame'emon's famous diaries he wrote during his career 1789 - 1815
shokuji, meal
shokunin, rikishi who has been near the peak of banzuke for a long time
shomen, northern side of dohyo; Emperor's box is located here and very likely the TV cameras too, see mukou-jomen
shomen shimpan, see kita-kata shimpan
shonichi, opening day of honbasho,
second Sunday of an odd numbered month or the first Sunday of July
(although these are estimated days with few exceptions), see tournament days, shonichi o dasu
shonichi o dasu, achieving first shiroboshi in honbasho
Shonosuke, heya which is no longer active
sho-shin
shoto, see waziyashi
shouga, ginger
Shoowa, Emperor Hirohito's nengô (December 25th, 1926 - January 7th, 1989)
shoyu, soya souce
shozeki
shozoku, garment worn by the gyoji
shu, see shu-iro
shuban, last five days of honbasho, see tournament days, chuban, joban, senshuraku
shubansen, see shuban
shugi-in, lower house of diet, see sangi-in
shu-iro, vermillion (orangish) red; colour of most tegata since 1970's
Shujaku, see Suzaku
Shukan Post, Japanese weekly magazine concentrating on scandals; often writes about fictional and factual phenomena around ozumo; kyokai sued Shukan Post in 1996 due to Onaruto scandal
shukanshi
shukun no hoshi, points determining the winner(s) of shukun-sho gained by beating high ranked rikishi and/or rikishi who are firmly in arasoi
shukun-sho, outstanding performance award, one of the sansho prizes granted on senshuraku; usually given to rikishi who has beaten yokozuna or the winner of the honbasho and has himself been close to achieving yusho; lower ranked rikishi can also get shukun-sho even without facing the yokozuna or even ozeki if he in other way shows superior sumo compared to level usually expected from a rikishi of his rank, see sansho, kanto-sho, gino-sho
shumokuzori, bell hammer backwards body drop, kimarite which gets its name from its similarity in appearance to the shape of a Japanese wooden bell hammer. A variation of tasukizori (reverse backwards body drop), it also can be used during a heated tsuppari
(slapping) exchange. The attacker will duck under the defender's lead
arm and be caught half way through. In this technique, the defender
will find himself draped over the attacker's body in a fireman's carry
position. As the attacker lifts the defender up, he will take him over
backwards. A sacrifice technique, the attacker will land on his back an
instant after the defender is thrown over onto his.
shungiku, edible chrysanthemum
shunin, official in charge
Shunju-en Jiken, see Tenryu's case
shu-rei, motion of hand indicating gratitude or politeness, see rei, kokoro
shushin, amateur gyoji
shusse hiro, see shinjo shusse hiro
shusshin-chi, rikishi's official home prefecture which can be almost any prefecture irrespective of his real childhood home, see honseki(-ti), koseki
shutsujo, rikishi who has arrived to his torikumi, also rikishi who wins his torikumi with fusensho, compare with fusenpai, yasumi
Shyugiin, upper house of diet
SML, Sumo Mailing List, international email list covering sumo in English
soba, buckwheat noodles
Sobetsu Kitanoumi Kinenkan, museum covering the glorious career of yokozuna Kitanoumi located in Sobetsu; suffered damage caused by ash after eruption of volcano Usu in April 2000, see Kawayu Sumo Kinenkan
sodanyaku, an official who at one time assisted heya participating in honbasho, see torishimari, kensayaku, sewagata
sogo kikaku tanto bucho, bucho (office established in 2002) whose sphere of responsibilities consist of kyokai's relations to the audience and the rikishi
Sokagakkai, Buddhist sect lead by Daisaku Ikeda; evidently has up to twelve million members; some rikishi obviously were members too
soken, joint traning session for yaku-rikishi (including yokozuna) and maegashira-joi; observed by yokozuna shingi iinkai; since May 2000 soken has been open also to juryo division rikishi and even to twenty first makushita-joi; soken is free of charge for spectators and it is held before every Tokyo honbasho
sokubi, pressing aite downwards by placing hand or forearm on his neck; part of some kimarite
sokubiotoshi, head chop down, kimarite
which becomes possible when the defender is caught leaning too far
forward. The attacker will chop down with his wrist or forearm at the
defender's neck or the back of his head, forcing him to touch down with
one or two hands. Sokubiotoshi is one of the 12 techniques added in the
2001 winning technique list expansion.
sonkyo, silent and calm moment after keiko where rikishi relax their bodies and process the advice they got during keiko; also rikishi's squatting with straight back after shiko on dohyo and mental preparation for the upcoming tachiai and torikumi
soori-daijin, prime minister
soppu, see soppu-daki or soppu-gata
soppu-daki, one of the two basic styles of chankonabe; food substances are boiled in already flavoured soup without separate dipping sauce, see mizu-taki, chiri-nabe
soppu-gata, rikishi with rather lenient body with lots of muscles and relatively low percent of fat, compare with anko-gata
sori-te, twelve falling techniques of the original 48 kimarite (shijuu-hatte), see hineri-te, nage-waza, kake-waza
soroigushi
soto, move from outside to inside, part of some kimarite, compare with uchi
soto-dawara, four hyo on the dohyo (?)
sotogake, outside leg trip, kimarite in which as the attacker pulls his aite into him, he will hook aite's lead leg from the outside, driving him over backwards.
sotokomata, over thigh scooping body drop, kimarite
in which as the defender steps forward, the attacker will grab that
lead leg from the outside, over the top of the thigh. He will then lift
the leg, driving his aite over backwards.
sotomuso, outer thigh propping twist down, kimarite
in which the attacker will release his inside gripping hand and reach
across the front of the defender's body to block, or prop, the
defender's far leg. At the same time, he will lock up the defender's
inside gripping arm while twisting his body into his opponent's. With
the defender's far leg blocked from stepping forward, this forces him
to fall over onto his back.
sototasukizori, outer reverse backwards body drop, kimarite
which becomes possible when the defender has an inside grip. The
attacker will bar that gripping arm across his own body. He will then
reach over that barred arm with his free hand palm up, grabbing the
defender's closest leg from the inside at the thigh. As the attacker
pulls the leg up and over, the pain generated by barring one of the
defender's arms will force him to touch down with his free hand.
soto-yotsu, disadvantageous situation rikishi faces when his aite gets morozashi on his mawashi, see kannuki, ai-yotsu, kenka-yotsu
sou-atari-sen, round robin system where each fights each in turn
souken, see soken
sou-kenbutu, see soken
Spo Nichi, Japanese daily sports magazine
ssirum, Korean wrestling style resembling sumo, see boke
su, vinegar
Sugawara-no-Michizane, see Dazaifu Temmangu
Suginami-ku, district of Tokyo where Hanaregoma- and Shibatayama-beya are located>
suikyo-shiki, first dohyo-iri of shin-yokozuna in Meiji-jingu
sukiabura, see bintsuke
suki ari
sukigushi
sukishi
sukui, grip under aite's armpit, see hazu
sukuinage, beltless arm throw, kimarite in which from an inside gripping position, the attacker will release that gripping hand, extend that inside arm across his aite's back as he turns away from him and pull the aite forward and down.
Sukune, mythical "father of sumo" who mortally wounded Kehaya in a bout set up by emperor Suinin 23 BC
sumai, violent early form of sumo
sumaibito, ancient expression for rikishi
sumai no sechie, apparently a synonym for sechie-zumo
Sumida, river flowing through Tokyo whose surface is said to reflect the sound of Kokugikan's yagura-daiko to a large area
Sumida-ku, district of Tokyo where Azumazeki-, Dewanoumi-, Hakkaku-, Hanakago-, Hatachiyama-, Izutsu-, Kasugano-, Kataonami-, Kokonoe-, Magaki-, Michinoku-, Mihogaseki-, Miyagino-, Nishonoseki-, Oshima-, Takekuma-, Tatsunami-, Tokitsukaze-, Tomozuna- and Wakamatsu-beya are located, see Ryogoku Kokugikan
sumi-riki
sumo, see ozumo
(sumoan), someone interested in sumo, see cyber rikishi
sumobaito
sumo-bu, sumo club
sumo-bugaku, expression once used for comparing the action of torikumi to a dance
sumo-daiko, small, high voiced, golded and lacquered nagado style taiko drum played with long bamboo sticks
sumodo, rikishis' general attitude towards life considered to be a modern adaptation of samurais' bushido
traditions which included as essential parts for example unconditional
loyality to authority, death despising courage and suffocation of
emotional outbursts
sumo ga suki, way of wrestling by a rikishi who is incapable of making initiatives
Sumo Hakubutsukan Kancho, oyakata in charge of Kuramae Kokugikan
Sumo Hyakka, sumo themed encyclopaedia, possibly some particular volume
sumo-ji, see sumo moji, negishi-ryu
sumo jinku, songs sang by rikishi in sumo community's events; often songs are about the life of rikishi, see aaa-dosukoi-dosukoi(-to)
sumo-kai, ozumo community, see kakkai
Sumo Kaisho, predecessor of current Nihon Sumo Kyokai
sumo-kan
sumokan, big tournament hall devoted to sumo
sumokate
Sumo Kyogi Kansatsu Iinkai, sumo falsehoods observation committee, a body appointed to monitor yaocho
Sumo Kyoshujo Shocho, oyakata in charge of Kyoshujo
Sumo Kyujaku Rigosho, writing where detailed construction of dohyo sometime during Tensho era (1573-1591) is mentioned for the first time
sumo moji, style of writing the names of rikishi using exceptionally wide strokes of the brush; similar, although more roundish style (so called kantei-ryu) is used in the names of kabuki actors, see negishi-ryu
sumonin, word meaning rikishi, not in use presently
Sumo no Tomo no Kai, Association of Friends of Sumo, possibly in connection to tamari-kai
sumo otaku, person who follows ozumo passionately
sumo oukoku, "kingdom of sumo", expression used for Aomori prefecture
Sumo Sekai, monthly sumo magazine published at the beginning of last century by the rikishi themselves
Sumo Shinryo-sho, sumo clinic administered by kyokai
Sumoshi uraomote, book about the history of sumo; written by Kojima Teiji
sumotori, professional ozumo wrestler, often refers to sekitori but it can be used also for toriteki
Sumo World, English language magazine concentrating on ozumo; six issues per year
sumo wo toru, v. to do sumo
sumo-yakunin, earlier expression for gyoji
sumo zukasa
sun, tenth of a shaku, about 3 cm, see bu, rin, jyoo
sunakaburi, "covered by sand", six seat rows nearest the dohyo, see isu-seki, tachi-seki, tamari-seki, box seki, masu-seki, jiyu-seki, tamari-kai
suneburi, probable misspelling, see zubuneri
Suponichi
suppon, turtle with soft cell and nasty habit of sticking to its victims or animals attacking it, nickname for moto-ozeki Asahikuni (Oshima Oyakata)
suri-ashi, basic treading way of a rikishi; moving the feet on the dohyo
attempting to keep soles and especially heels as low as possible in
order to keep center of balance from rising; especially power of the
big toes to press themselves against the dohyo is sought after; also part of the yokozuna dohyo-iri ceremony and a basic training method where a rikishi walks while bending his knees deeply; often done by several rikishi in a row where everyone leans against the do-beya in front of him, see deashi
surikogi, wooden pestle, probably used when preparing mochi
susoharai, rear footsweep, kimarite
in which the attacker will use a pulling arm throw or arm grabbing
force out attempt to work the defender into a position perpendicular to
him. Having forced the defender's closest foot forward, the attacker
will then sweep that foot from the rear, driving it even further
forward. At the same time, he will pull the defender backwards,
throwing him onto his side or back.
susotori, ankle pick, kimarite in which as the defender attempts a throw, the attacker reaches down and grabs the ankle of his aite's
leg furthest from the defender's throwing arm. He then pulls that leg
up and behind him while driving the defender over onto his back.
Suzaku, see aka-busa
Syouwa, see Shoowa
tabi, Japanese style sock where big toe is separated from rest of foot so that person who wears tabi could also wear geta; of the gyoji juryo-kaku and higher ranked are allowed to wear tabi
tachi, long sword (of a yokozuna?)
tachiai, rikishis' charge towards each other at the beginning of torikumi, see buchikamashi
tachiawase, meeting at the tachiai
tachimochi, "sword bearer", rikishi who participates in yokozuna dohyo-iri by holding revealed tachi; he walks behind yokozuna while they walk towards dohyo and is usually from yokozuna's heya or ichimon and is always higher ranked than tsuyuharai
tachimashita, see tachiai
tachimi, tickets which entitle the holder to standing places (of Kokugikan)
tachimiken
tachimi-seki, standing places (of Kokugikan)
tachi-seki, see tojitsu-ken
Tadaima-no kimarite wa <kimarite>. <Kimarite>te <rikishi>-no kachi!, public announcement after torikumi telling the shikona of winning rikishi (<rikishi>) and kimarite (<kimarite>) he used, see jonai hoso
Tagonoura, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-maegashira (mai-me 1) Kushimaumi, located in Omiya in Saitama prefecture
Taiho, heya which belongs to Nishonoseki-ichimon and is lead by moto-yokozuna Taiho, located in Koto-ku
Taiho, one of the two ichidai toshiyori; possessed by dai-yokozuna of similar name, see Kitanoumi
taikai, gathering, smallish sumo event, see to-na-mento, basho, jungyo
taiko, drum played to invite people to watch tournament day's torikumi and also played as a request to spectators to leave when torikumi are finished
taiko-tachi, yokozuna Musashimaru's peculiar tachiai style
taiko-uchiwake, various playing styles of yagura-daiko and presentation of those styles, see hane-daiko, yose-daiko, ichiban-daiko, niban-daiko
tairan-zumo, see tenran-zumo
taisen, see torikumi
taisen-aite, aite in (a particular) torikumi
taisen seiseki, the combined results of two rikishi's mutual torikumi since the beginning of their careers
taisho, see waziyashi
taisho, senshu who fights last in the three member amateur sumo team, see senpo, chuken
taishoku, honourable retirement from kyokai after reaching the age of 65 or due to illness; sometimes (for instance Konishiki Yasokichi) for other reasons, compare with teinen, see haigyo, intai
Taishoo, nengô of Emperor Yoshihito (July 30th, 1912 - December 25th, 1926)
Taito-ku, see Daito-ku
Takadagawa, heya which is lead by moto-ozeki Maenoyama and is the only heya which doesn't belong to any ichimon, located in Edogawa-ku; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo
Takamimusubi no kami, one of three gods to whom a rikishi shows his appreciation after winning a torikumi, see Amenominakanushi no kami, Kamimusubi no kami, tegatana o kiru
Takasago, heya which belongs to Takasago-ichimon and is lead by moto-komusubi Fujinishiki, located in Daito-ku; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo
Takasago, one of the five ichimon
Takasaki, myoseki which belongs to Dewanoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Takashima, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-sekiwake Koboyama, located in Edogawa-ku
take, bamboo
takegouri, bamboo travel luggage apparently used in the jungyo
Takekuma, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-sekiwake Kurohimeyama, located in Sumida-ku
Takemikazuchi, god who won the first sumo bout according to the legend and is said to be the founder of Imperial family
Takeminakata, god who lost to Takemikazuchi
Takenawa, myoseki which belongs to Oshiogawa-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
takenoko, bamboo shoots
Takeshima, heya which ceased to remain active at the end of 18th century and was located in Kumamoto
tako, octopus
takoyaki, cooked and barbequed "octopus meatballs", Japanese fast food
Takudai, Takushoku University
Tamagaki, heya which is no longer active
Tamagaki, myoseki which belongs to Tatsunami-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho
tamagoyaki, delicious omelett spiced with soya sauce and sugar
tamakushi
Tamanoi, heya which belongs to Dewanoumi-ichimon and is lead by moto-sekiwake Tochiazuma, located in Adachi-ku
tamari, southern side of dohyo where gyoji wait for their torikumi to take place, see gyoji-tamari
tamari-kai, regular holders of the sunakaburi seats nearest the dohyo
tamari-seki, another term for sunakaburi, six rows of seats closest to dohyo, see isu-seki, tachi-seki, box seki, masu-seki, jiyu-seki
tame, combination of fighting spirit, intensity and self confidence discharged at the tachiai
Tanigawa, heya which is no longer active
Tanigawa, myoseki which belongs to Hakkaku-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
tanimachi, influential persons sponsoring heya or rikishi, see tomonokai, koenkai
tanto, knife shorter than a shaku, see waziyashi, daito, shoto
tanuki, raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) which has magical powers according to folklore
taoshi, falling aite to his back or side, okuritaoshi being an exception
tasuki, string used for tying up the broad sleeve of kimono
tasukizori, reverse backwards body drop, kimarite whose name comes from the cord used to tie up kimono sleeves. During a heated tsuppari
exchange, the attacker will duck under the defender's lead arm and find
himself with his back turned to the defender's side. Grabbing the
defender's lead arm with one hand and his back leg at the thigh from
the inside with the other, the attacker will lean backwards. This
motion will force the attacker to sacrifice his upright position but
not before driving the defender over onto his side or back.
tataeshakai, custom of determining precise rank for each member covering the whole kakkai
tatami, mats worn at agari-zashiki etc.
tategyoji, two highest ranked gyoji who mostly officiate torikumi where at least one of the rikishi is a yokozuna; often term is used only for highest ranked gyoji Kimura Shonosuke as a distinction from fukutategyoji Shikimori Inosuke, see sanyaku-kaku
Tatekawa, heya which is no longer active
Tatekawa, myoseki which belongs to Kagamiyama-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
tatemae, absence of formal special characteristics of amateur sumo compared to ozumo, compare with honne
tate-mitsu, vertical part of mawashi on which grapping and pulling yields to instant kuroboshi in case it is on the front side (mae-tatemitsu); synonym maebukuro, see yoko-mitsu, mae-mitsu, mae-tatemitsu, ato-tatemitsu
Tateyama, heya which is no longer active
Tateyama, myoseki which belongs to Taiho-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
tateyobidashi, highest ranked yobidashi, see fukutateyobidashi
Tatsunami, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-komusubi Asahiyutaka, located in Sumida-ku
Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo, one of the five ichimon
Tatsutagawa, heya merged with Michinoku-beya in 2000
Tatsutayama, heya which is no longer active
Tatsutayama, myoseki which belongs to Izutsu-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
tattsuke-bakama, yobidashis' traditional costume which has wide pants under the knee level and whose back side acts as an advertisement space (fuku)tateyobidashi excluded
tawara, rice bundle embedded into the dohyo clay which form shobu-dawara; originally taxation related unit of measurement; rice container of approx. 72 litres (several other sizes exist), see toku-dawara, janome, fumi-dawara, kengamine, nijuudohyo
te, hand
tegata, rikishi's "signature", image of rikishi's palm printed on a special shikishi paper with red (or sometimes black) ink and his shikona painted with black ink; previously only black ink was used for the image of palm, see hanko, shu-iro
tegatana o kiru, special hand movement by winning rikishi of torikumi to express his gratitude to the three gods, see Amenominakanushi no kami, Takamimusubi no kami, Kamimusubi no kami
teinen, haigyo due to turning 65
teisei, correction to kimarite used in torikumi made afterwards based on video footage of the torikumi
temaki-zushi, sushi rolls in nori
ten-den bara-bara, onomatopoeic rhythm formation played with taiko drum in order to request spectators to leave the arena after torikumi are finished and come back on the following day, see hane-daiko
tenno, Emperor, see ko-taishi
tenno hai, see tenno-shihai
tenno-shihai, Emperor's cup weighing 35 kg given to winner of honbasho as a challenge trophy, donated by fresh Emperor Akihito in January 1927
tenran-zumo, sumo performed at the presence of Emperor, heir to the throne or foreign royalties; dohyo-iri ceremony is also different from usual (gozengakari), compare with joran-zumo
Tenryu Jiken, also known as Shunju-en Jiken, see Tenryu's case
Tenryu's case, rebellious movement at the beginning of the 1930's lead by sekiwake Tenryu against the leaders of kyokai; afterwards Tenryu became a very popular commentator, see besseki, Osaka Sumo Kyokai
tenteki, natural enemy or opponent, for example cats and dogs; in the context of ozumo rikishi
who according to some criteria evolve to each other's natural enemies,
for example because they start their careers at the same time or are
promoted to high rank around the same time (Musashimaru and Takanonami)
or are physically opposite types (Konishiki and Mainoumi) or are heyagashira of severely competing heya or sometimes media is eager to create tenteki relationship between some rikishi (Akebono and Takatoriki), compare with nigate
teppo, wooden pillar used in teppo-oshi embedded into keikoba
teppo-oshi, practise form mainly for arms, shoulders and wrists; embedded teppo is struck hundreds of times daily, see shiko, suri-ashi, butsukari-geiko, matawari
teppowaza, exceptionally strong two-handed morotsuki which is very difficult to do against an equal aite, compare with kata-teppo
Terao Tsunefumi, book about sekiwake Terao's life as a rikishi
teriyaki, soya based sauce where sugar, vinegar and spices are added
teuchi-shiki, ceremony held after torikumi and reward ceremonies at the last tournament day; new deshi who wear kesho-mawashi are welcomed into ozumo after having participated to their first honbasho, see shindeshi kensa, shinjo shusse hiro
te-yotsu, situation often occurring right after tachiai where both rikishi have a grip on their aite's opposite hands since both rikishi try to get as good grip on their aite's mawashi as possible, see tokui-yotsu
tobu, see henka
tochi, horse chestnut, traditionally part of Kasugano-beya rikishis' shikona
Tochigi, prefecture
Tochi-Waka, era during the 1950's dominated by yokozuna Tochinishiki and Wakanohana I, see Haku-Ho, Rin-Ko, Ake-Taka, Kita-Tama, Ki-Rin, jidai
tochu-kyujo, kyujo after honbasho has already started, compare with zen-kyu, kosho seido
todori, term for toshiyori-kabu inside Osaka-Zumo before Nihon Sumo Kyokai was founded; todori were Kagamiyama, Minato, Jimmaku, Mihogaseki, Takenawa, Asahiyama, Onogawa, Edagawa, Oshiogawa, Iwatomo, Tokitsukaze, Sendagawa, Takasago, Inagawa, Fujishima, Takadagawa, Nakamura, Onaruto, Araiwa, Shiranui, Kitajin and Nishiiwa
tofu, soya mix
toh, six-step ranking system of the tokoyama (5-toh, 4-toh, 3-toh, 2-toh, 1-toh and toku-1-toh); reaching highest rank (toku-1-toh) takes up to 45 years
tohka-me, tenth day of honbasho, see tournament days
Tohoku, northern part of Honshu where the longest jungyo in July-August reaches along with Hokkaido
tojitsu-ken, day-based tickets which can't be booked in advance, see isu-seki, tachi-seki, tamari-seki, box seki, masu-seki, jiyu-seki, sunakaburi
tokarashimiso, soup based on a plant reminiscent of aubergine (eggplant) offered by Sumo Kaisho to the rikishi during the honbasho
tokei-gakari shimpan, shimpan responsible for timing, see jikan-gakari shimpan
Tokitsukaze, heya which belongs to Tokitsukaze-ichimon and is lead by moto-komusubi Futatsuryu, located in Sumida-ku; originally todori of Osaka-Zumo
Tokitsukaze, one of five ichimon
Tokiwayama, heya which is no longer active
Tokiwayama, myoseki which belongs to Hanaregoma-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
tokkurinage, two handed head twist down, kimarite,
as the defender is leaning forward, the attacker will grab his head or
neck with both hands. From this position, he will twist the defender
down and over onto his back. This technique was also called gasshohineri
but that name is now used to describe a variation of tokkurinage; one
of the twelve techniques added in the 2001 winning technique list
expansion.
to-kon, fighting spirit, see tame
tokoyama, hairdresser who makes rikishis' hair-do (oh-ichoh-mage and chonmage); they have their own ranking system (toh) and belong to heya just like rikishi; there are about 50 tokoyama, see minarai
tokubetsu teate, special travelling allowance paid to yaku-rikishi each honbasho according to their rank; nominal amount hasn't been raised since the introduction in 1961
toku-dawara, four dohyo enlargements at the nominal cardinal directions created by placing four of the sixteen hyo forming the tawara slightly backwards from the neighbouring ones; originally used by the rikishi and gyoji to move onto and from dohyo and to let water flow from the dohyo
Tokugawa, shogunate which ruled Japan from the beginning of 17th century to the middle of 19th century
tokui-yotsu, rikishi's favourite grip on his aite's mawashi, see hidariyotsu, migiyotsu, namakura-yotsu
Tokushima, prefecture
Tokyo, capital of Japan, host city of Hatsu Basho, Natsu Basho and Aki Basho, see Edo, Ryogoku, Kokugikan
Tokyo, prefecture
Tokyo-dai-kuusyuu, large bombings on March 10th, 1945 in Tokyo during which maegashira Matsuragata and Toyoshima were killed
Tokyonodai, university of agriculture and forestry in Tokyo; traditionally with a very good amateur sumo team from which many senshu have moved up to ozumo starting at makushita tsukedashi rank
Tokyo-Zumo
Tomagashima, heya which is no longer active
tomebasami, final cutting of sekitori's oh-ichoh-mage in danpatsu-shiki performed by oyakata (shisho) with gold plated scissors
Tomioka Hachimangu, temple in Koto-ku in Tokyo in the Fukagawa area where a stone structure of 3.5 meters and 20 tons, on which shikona of yokozuna, shusshin-chi and the dates of promotion to yokozuna are carved, is located; yokozuna
Jinmaku erected the original stone with the financial help of political
elite and economic life in 1900; two more stone structures were erected
in 1983 when the old one became full last yokozuna carved being Wakanohana II, see Mantoku-in
tomoe-sen, kettei-sen with three rikishi participating, torikumi order is casted, see wakaimonogashira
tomonokai, joint group of heya's supporters, fanclub, see goshugi, compare with koenkai
Tomozuna, heya which belongs to Tatsunami-Isegahama Rengo and is lead by moto-sekiwake, located in Sumida-ku
to-na-mento, tournament, smaller sumo event than jungyo, see taikai
tonkatsu, pork cutlet, see katsu
torikoboshi, losing torikumi to a lower ranked rikishi, especially sanyaku ranked rikishi's loss to maegashira, see kuroboshi, ureshii-hoshi, ginboshi, kinboshi
torikumi, sumo bout, also used inaccurately for the program of whole tournament day, see torikumi-hyo, taisen seiseki
torikumi hensei iinkai, kyokai's body in charge of devising the coming honbasho days' bout schedule
torikumi hensei kaigi, meeting of torikumi hensei iinkai where torikumi-hyo of next day or days is drawn up
torikumi hensei yoryo, rules concering determination of torikumi opponents but which don't include a rule preventing torikumi between relatives although it is valid as a traditional unwritten rule, see heya-betsu so-atari, ichimon-betsu so-atari, kojin-betsu so-atari, Futa factor, Magaki effect
torikumi-hyo, torikumi program of tournament day, see kekka
torinaoshi, rematch which is fought if it is impossible to be certain of kekka of first torikumi, see kyougi, mono-ii, gunbaidoori, sashi-chigae, itami-wake, dotai
torishimari, historical tournament manager who was responsible for fluent function of honbasho, see sodanyaku, kensayaku, sewagata
toriteki, rikishi, including shindeshi, who are lower ranked than juryo, compare with deshi, see wakaishu
toshi otoko, bean scatterer; see Setsubun
toshiyori, elder, trustee, oyakata
toshiyori-kabu, one of the 105 coaching licenses which sekitori can buy or inherit from his father or father-in-law, see kari-kabu, compare with jun-toshiyori
toshiyori-mei, right to use the name of an oyakata; part of possessing myoseki
toshiyori myoseki shosho, document authenticating the ownership of a myoseki
tottari, arm bar throw, kimarite which often develops from a pushing/thrusting exchange. The attacker will grab one of his aite's
arms, usually at the wrist as he turns parallel to him. His free arm
will then wrap around that arm from below. He will then bar it across
his stomach or chest, forcing the aite forward and down.
Tottori, prefecture
toudori, see todori
tournament days, fifteen tournament days of a honbasho are named as follows:
Touzai-sei, see tozai
toya, caretaker in charge of shinto shrine
Toyama, prefecture
Toyodai
tozai, custom of dividing rikishi into east and west side east being the more prestigious, until 1931 the amount of higashi (east) and nishi (west) rikishi was always equal in honbasho, nowadays it is possible that there are two higashi rikishi more than nishi rikishi in the makuuchi division, see haridashi, sei, mai-me, shitaku-beya, dohyo-iri, hidari-gata, migi-gata
Tozaikai
tsuge, tree species of which hanko seals are usually made of
tsujizumo
tsuka, handle of sword
tsukami, holding aite's arms with hands
tsukaminage, lifting throw, kimarite in which the attacker, from an outside grip, will pull his aite
past him. As he completes the pull, he will heave the defender up into
the air and drive him into the clay. Where almost all throwing motions
in sumo are right to left or left to right, this technique's motion is always right to right or left to left.
tsukebito, assistant/servant of sekitori or juryo-kaku or higher ranked gyoji; toriteki from same heya act as tsukebito taking care of routine tasks like carrying akeni, taking care of mawashi, tying tsuna etc; yokozuna can have from four to even eleven tsukebito
tsukedashi, see makushita tsukedashi
tsuki, pushing aite backwards without maintaining hand contact at all times, compare with oshi
tsukibou, clubs with wooden weights on them, used to thump the dohyo in shape, see Asahi
tsukidashi, frontal thrust out, kimarite, one of the most common pushing/thrusting techniques in sumo. The attacker will drive his aite backwards and over the tawara with a rhythmical thrusting motion. Unlike oshidashi (frontal push out) the attacker does not have to maintain hand contact at all times.
tsukihanashi, powerful tsuki forcing aite fly off the dohyo, see morotsuki, teppo, kata-teppo
tsukihiza, knee touch down, one of five situations where a rikishi loses a torikumi without any initiative from his aite; also literally the knee touching dohyo thus resulting in a kuroboshi;
recorded outside official listing of winning techniques and was
introduced with the 2001 winning technique list expansion, compare with
tsukite, koshikudake, kabai-te, fumidashi, isamiashi, see hakite
tsukiji, fish wholesale place in Tokyo where chanko-ban might buy big amount of fish and other sea products to be used in chankonabe
tsuki-kaesu, defensive method against tsuki, pushing aite's extended arms upwards from below
tsuki-oshi ni tessuru, one dimensional fighting style concentrating only on pushing moves
tsukiotoshi, thrust down, kimarite in which the attacker will drive his aite down into the clay with a thrusting motion after placing his open hand on the aite's upper rib cage or at his shoulder. Often used as a last ditch effort at the tawara.
tsukitaoshi, frontal thrust down, kimarite which is most commonly seen after the attacker has won a heated slapping (tsuppari) exchange. At the finish of that exchange, the aite's hips are to far forward and the attacker is able to thrust him over onto his back or side.
tsukite, hand touch down, one of five situations where a rikishi loses a torikumi without any initiative from his aite; also literally the hand touching dohyo thus resulting in a kuroboshi;
recorded outside official listing of winning techniques and was
introduced with the 2001 winning technique list expansion, compare with
tsukihiza, koshikudake, kabai-te, fumidashi, isamiashi, see hakite
tsuki-yasui, rikishi vulnerable to tsuki
tsukkake, disturbing aite's peace of mind and concentration during shikkiri by conducting in a somewhat unusual yet legimitate way, for example trying to begin torikumi already at the first shikinihairu
tsuku, v. to push, see tsuki
Tsukuba Gakuen, area from where clay proper for dohyo is gotten, located in Ibaraki prefecture, see Arakawa, Arakida
tsuma, toe
tsumatori, rear toe pick, kimarite which becomes possible when the attacker has worked his way to the side of his aite as that aite
is moving forward. As the defender picks up the foot closest to the
attacker, the attacker will reach down, grabbing that foot at the toes
and pull it back and up. This, coupled with the defender's own
momentum, will force him to fall forward. Tsumatori was originally
referred to as rear ankle pick in English but the technique definition
was changed during the 2001 winning technique list expansion.
tsumire, meatball, fishball
tsuna, yokozuna's
ceremonial almost four metres long belt weighing about 15 kg; made out
of hemp fiber, covered with cotton and wound around a copper cable;
five zigzag formed shide ribbons hang from tsuna, see shime-nawa, tsunauchi-shiki, shiranui-gata, unryu-gata
tsuna-biki, tug of war, one of the numbers of undokai
tsunashime, putting tsuna on
tsuna-dori, ozeki who is regarded to have a possibility to clinch his promotion to yokozuna in the next honbasho; possibly the promotion itself as well
tsunauchi-shiki, preparation ceremony of tsuna three times a year in each yokozuna's heya before a honbasho in Tokyo begins; surplus part of tsuna is given away to protect women giving birth as a charm, see hachimaki
tsuno kakushi, hanayome's traditional headgear
tsuppari, rapid and furious short pushes to aite's face and upper torso using alternating open handed pushes, see oshi, tsuki, nodo-wa, harite, uwa-tsuppari
tsupparu, v. to push, see tsuppari
tsuri, lifting aite and carrying him over the tawara with a grip on aite's mawashi or arms, part of some kimarite
tsuridashi, lift out, kimarite,
a power technique that can be done from either a single or double
inside grip. Occasionally, it is even seen from a double outside grip.
The attacker will take hold of the aite's mawashi, drop his hips and heave his aite into the air, lifting him over and out of the ring.
tsuriotoshi, lifting body slam, kimarite, a power technique only possible when there is a pronounced gap in strength and skill between the attacker and defender. Like tsuridashi
(lift out) the attacker will drop his hips while pulling the defender
in, then lift him up into the air. In this technique, rather than
deposit his aite outside the ring, the attacker will swing him sideways and drive him into the clay.
tsuriyane, structure hung above dohyo resembling a roof of shinto
shrine; made of aluminum, cedar, pine and zeikova, weighs about six
tons and is attached on the roof with two inch-thick cables, see busa, man-in onrei, mizuhikimaku, agemaki, shihon-bashira
tsuri-yori
tsuru, v. to lift (with two-handed mawashi grip), see tsuri
tsuru, string of bow given to winning rikishi of penultimate torikumi on senshuraku, see ya, yumi, kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), yaku-zumo ni kano
tsutaezori, underarm forward body drop, kimarite
in which the attacker will dive under one of the defender's arms while
maintaining a grip on that arm. Leaning back and into the defender, he
will force him to fall forward and touch down with his free hand; one
of the twelve techniques added in the 2001 winning technique list
expansion.
tsuugonomi
tsuya, wake, see kokubetsu-shiki
tsuyoi, strong, see genki, compare with yowai
tsuyuharai, "dew sweeper", sort of a herald, rikishi who participates in yokozuna dohyo-iri ceremony, walks in front of yokozuna as they approach the dohyo, comes from the same heya or ichimon as yokozuna and is always of lower rank than tachimochi
tyankonabe, see chankonabe
tyonmage, see chonmage
uchi, technique "from the inside", for example kimarite uchigake & uchimuso, compare with soto
uchiage, party held in heya after honbasho
uchidashi, conclusion of a ozumo presentatition
uchi-dawara, sixteen hyo of which shobu-dawara is formed in addition to toku-dawara
uchidome, see musubi-no-ichiban
uchigake, inside leg trip, kimarite in which as the attacker pulls his aite forward, he will hook the aite's lead leg from the inside; hooking right leg to left leg or left to right. He will then pull the aite's leg out from under him, pulling with a circular motion, as he drives him over onto his back.
uchikaeshi, partial rebuilding of the dohyo on Kokugikan when a new honbasho is about to begin; on other honbasho venues the whole dohyo ia always built anew
uchimaku, synonym for makuuchi
uchimuso, inner thigh propping twist down, kimarite
which can be done from either an inside or outside grip. The attacker
will sweep one of the defender's legs up by hitting the inner thigh
with the back of his free hand. As that hand makes contact with the aite's thigh, he will pull with his other hand in the same direction as the sweeping hand.
uchi-no, prefix added in front of heya's ozeki or yokozuna unless there are more than one of either when suffix zeki is used; for example in Azumazeki-beya Akebono was referred as uchi-no yokozuna since he was the only yokozuna of the heya whereas in Futagoyama-beya Wakanohana and Takanohana were called as Wakanohana-zeki and Takanohana-zeki since term uchi-no yokozuna didn't clarify which one was referred to
uchitsukazu, tournament record with no losses, see zensho yusho
uchiwa, fan, see gumbai
udehineri, evidently synonym for kainahineri
udetate, push-up exercise
ude-zumo, arm wrestling; rikishis' exhibition sport in charity events etc.
udon, white wheat noodle especially popular in southern Japan
ukiyoe, Japanese drawing style popular in 18th and 19th centuries used also to depict many rikishi of that time
umeboshi, dried plums (possibly in vinegar)
Umegatani, heya which is no longer active
Umike, family from Ise who had the sole right to set up the yagura
Umi wo koetekita chikara-bito, book about Hawaiian rikishi written by Okada Terufusa, English translation Strong Men Who Crossed The Ocean
unagi, eel
undokai, annual playful costume party organised by rikishi-kai
unisono
unma
unryu-gata, the more common one of the two different yokozuna dohyo-iri styles consisting of both offensive and defensive moves; paradoxically yokozuna Shiranui was the first to perform yokozuna dohyo-iri like this; one loop of tsuna is characteristical to unryu-gata, see shiranui-gata, kanreki yokozuna dezuiri
Urakaze, heya which is no longer active
Urakaze, myoseki which belongs to Kiriyama-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
ureshii-hoshi, exceptionally pleasing shiroboshi, for example the eight (or fourth in lower divisions) shiroboshi of honbasho which guarantees kachi-koshi or shiroboshi which guarantees kakuage or even yusho, see mechakucha ureshii, torikoboshi, ginboshi, kinboshi
urushi, lacquer laid on the surface of the taiko drums and the akeni
ushiromotare, backward lean out, kimarite
that becomes possible when the defender has managed to circle behind
the attacker, usually at the edge of the ring. From this position the
attacker will lean into his aite, forcing him back and over the tawara or back and down. Ushiromotare is one of the twelve techniques added in the 2001 winning technique list expansion.
utchari, backward pivot throw, rare and spectacular kimarite used as a last ditch effort to win after the attacker has been driven to the tawara.
Before he can be forced out, the attacker will drop his hips while
pulling the defender up and past him. In executing this technique, the
attacker is quite often forced clean over onto his back. The only thing
that earns him the shiroboshi is the twisting motion of his hips, which often forces his aite to touch down a fraction of a second before he does.
uwate, grip on aite's mawashi over his arm, see shitate, sashite, migiyotsu, hidariyotsu
uwatedashinage, pulling overarm throw, kimarite done from an outside grip, the attacker will pull his aite forward and down as he turns away from aite. The major difference between this technique and uwatenage is that forward pull.
uwatehineri, twisting overarm throw, kimarite done from an outside grip. The technique is done by twisting the aite in the direction of that outside hand. It is commonly seen when the aite is conciously defending against an uwatenage because this throw has the attacker taking the defender in the opposite direction from uwatehineri.
uwatenage, overarm throw, one of the most common kimarite in which the attacker, from an outside grip, will throw his aite into the clay by heaving him down at a sharp angle as he turns away from that opponent.
uwa-tsuppari, tsuppari which raises aite's centre of gravity
Wakafuji, heya which is no longer active
Wakafuji, myoseki which belongs to Isegahama-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
wakaimon, common pronounciation form for wakaimono
wakaimono, makushita or lower ranked (young) rikishi, see wakaishu, toriteki, deshi
wakaimonogashira, at most eight functionaries of kyokai, often former makushita rikishi and nowadays more often former sekitori who practise deshi at their heya and ichimon, arrange maezumo torikumi with the help of sewanin before the jonokuchi torikumi begin and kettei-sen and tomoe-sen castings
wakaishu, rikishi lower ranked than juryo, see toriteki, deshi
Wakamatsu, heya which belongs to Takasago-ichimon and is lead by moto-ozeki Asashio, located in Sumida-ku
wakame, fresh alga which is used on miso based soups
Wakayama, prefecture
wakeh-mon, common pronounciation form for wakaimono
waki ga amai, side of the body
waki ga katai, see waki ga amai
wakizashi, samurai's short curved sword carried by the tategyoji under their obi in order to be able to perform seppuku should they disgrace their rank, see daito, tanto
wanpaku-yokozuna, wanpaku-zumo champion
wanpaku-zumo, children's mutual sumo, compare with kodomo-zumo
wari, tying aite's upper arm, part of some kimarite
wari, daily program included in the price of honbasho ticket
wariba
wari-bure
waridashi, upper-arm force out, rarely seen kimarite which requires a pronounced gap in strength between the attacker and the defender. It can be done from either an inside or outside grip. With his free hand, the attacker would grab the defender's arm at the biceps and, while pushing on that arm, drive the defender back and out.
wasabi, green radish powder, horse radish
WASF, see World Amateur Sumo Federation
washi, japanese paper of which moto-yui is made, see kaobure
watashi, rikishi's, who is pushing his aite backwards with yori, grip change from uwate to a grip of aite's back of the knee, see ashi-barai
watashikomi, thigh grabbing push down, kimarite which is usually done near the end of a yorikiri (force out) attack. As the attacker drives his aite to the edge, he will release his outside gripping hand and slide it down to grab the defender's leg at the hamstring or behind the knee. As he continues his forward drive, the attacker will pull that leg towards him, forcing the defender either over the edge or onto his back.
waza, collective term for all the kimarite and other techniques used during a torikumi
waza no depato, "department store of the waza", nickname of brilliant technician, moto-komusubi Mainoumi
World Amateur Sumo Federation
Worufo to yobareta otoka, moto-yokozuna Chiyonofuji's autobiography; The Man They Called Wolf; apparently not translated
ya, arrow of which kind two are given to the winner of third from last torikumi at senshuraku, see yumi, tsuru, kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), yaku-zumo ni kano
yachin ga takai, rikishi who is ranked higher in banzuke than his abilities would justify and who with high probability suffers a make-koshi in the next honbasho
yagura, approximately of 16 metre height
tower made out of steel nowadays, formerly of cedar logs without nails;
on the side of the tower the effective banzuke (so called ita-banzuke) is hung; on top of the tower there is taiko drum used to invite people to arrive at the arena to watch the daily bouts, see nobori, Sumida, yose-daiko, hane-daiko, ichiban-daiko, niban-daiko
yagura-daiko, taiko drum on top of yagura
yaguranage, inner thigh throw, kimarite which can be done from either an inside or outside grip. As the attacker pulls his aite into him, he will drop his hips and place the outside of his knee against the defender's inner thigh. As the attacker starts the throwing motion with the hand on the same side of the leg touching the defender's thigh, he will drive that leg upwards. This, combined with the throwing motion of the attacker's hands, will force the defender over onto his side.
yakata, see tsuriyane
yakiniku, fried or grilled meat
yakitori, grilled broiler; common snack in ozumo audience
yaki-torikumi
yakuin, (kyokai) official
yakuin-taigu
yakura, see yagura
yaku-rikishi, sanyaku ranked rikishi including yokozuna, compare with hiramaku
yakuza, Japanese mafia, organised crime;
also one individual gangster; yakuza's involvement in gambling activity
is said to have had some link to ozumo too at some point
yakuzumo, often synonym for sanyaku although the more correct interpretation would be torikumi (especially kore yori san-yaku torikumi) where at least one rikishi is yaku-rikishi
yaku-zumo ni kano, awards given to the winners of the last three torikumi after sanyaku soroibumi; also used as a term for winner of those bouts; the winner of komusubi torikumi gets two arrows (ya), the winner of sekiwake torikumi gets string of a bow (tsuru) and the winner of ozeki torikumi (last torikumi of honbasho) gets a bow (yumi), see kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), komusubi ni kano, sekiwake ni kano, ozeki ni kano
Yakyukai
Yamagata, prefecture
yama-geiko, keiko done outdoors
Yamaguchi, prefecture
Yamahibiki, myoseki which belongs to Futagoyama-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Yamanashi, hometown of Hanakago-beya
Yamanashi, prefecture
Yamashina, heya which is no longer active
Yamashina, myoseki which belongs to Dewanoumi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
Yamawaki, heya which is no longer active
Yamawaki, myoseki which belongs to Tamanoi-beya but for now doesn't belong to any shisho, see oyakata, heya-tsuki no oyakata, heya-mochi no oyakata
yaocho, fixed torikumi; also used implying to the large scale arranging of the results of torikumi all the way up to yusho deciding bouts; very controversial phenomenon and is said to have been quite common at some eras in sumo's history, see gachinko, chubon, mukiryoku, chusha, kata-yaocho
yaocho-zumo, see yaocho
yasotobi, rare jump upwards at the tachiai by a rikishi attempting to surprise his forward leaning charging aite, when the move works it is a real crowd-pleaser and spectacular way of winning; the originator of the term was moto-yokozuna Wakanohana I who used it in a form hassou-tobi, see keren-zumo
Yasukuni, due to militaristic connections a controversial shrine whose area was used for temporary honbasho arena during 1917-1920 after the original Kokugikan had been destroyed in a fire and the second was not yet finished, see kozumo
yasumi, v. to rest, marking made on hoshitorihyo on days when rikishi is not competing in honbasho due to kyujo, see shiroboshi, kuroboshi, kinboshi, ginboshi, shutsujo, tochu-kyujo, zen-kyu, kosho seido
Yatsugamine, heya active at the beginning of 19th century
yen, Japanese monetary unit, subdivided into 100 sen
yobidashi, functionaries who have had their names on the banzuke since Nagoya Basho 1994; they belong to their own heya and have various tasks in ozumo for example the following ones: building dohyo, preparing and fixing it between torikumi, announcing the possible kensho-kin offered for the upcoming bout, singing with trained voice the shikona of the rikishi of the next bout before they enter the dohyo and informing rikishi the end of seigen jikan; the amount of yobidashi is fixed to be 45 at most (42 at the moment), see seniority, tateyobidashi, fukutateyobidashi
yobidashi beya, locker and waiting room of yobidashi (in Kokugikan)
yobimodoshi, pulling body slam, kimarite which is one of sumo's power techniques and is only seen when there is a pronounced gap in strength between the attacker and the defender. The attacker will pull the defender in the direction of the attacker's inside grip. Then, using the defender's reaction against that pull, he will release his inside grip, turn his palm down, and take the defender in the other direction heaving him clean off his feet.
yochumata, ceremonial driving out the evil spirits from the dohyo by doing shiko before each torikumi begins
yohka-me, see nakabi
yohka-me nakabi, see nakabi
Yoi, Hakkeyoi, see hakke-yoi
"yoisho", audience's cries of encouragement to yokozuna when he does the shiko during dohyo-iri, see yochumata
yokka-me, fourth day of a honbasho, see tournament days
yoko-mitsu, horizontal part of mawashi on the sides; best part of mawashi to launch throwing techniques, see tate-mitsu, mae-mitsu
yoko-nimai
Yoko-Shin, see Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai
Yoko-Shin-Soken, see soken
yokozuna, "horizontal rope", grand champion, mythical, highest rank in ozumo; yokozuna can't lose his rank but if he fails to perform at a high level suitable for yokozuna, he is expected to retire so as not to disgrace the rank; promotion to yokozuna can be achieved by winning two yusho in a row as an ozeki or otherwise performing at nearly the level of equivalent to winning two yusho in a row, in addition to that yokozuna candidate must have dignity, devotion and be in general a character likely to carry the honourable status of yokozuna with pride; yokozuna rank was separated from the rank of ozeki and is still considered a derivative of ozeki (see yokozuna-ozeki); yokozuna rank was officially marked on the banzuke in May 1890 when Nishinoumi I Kajiro demanded it; basically there have been yokozuna before that too although they were referred to as ozeki, see tsuna, hinkaku, dai-yokozuna, meijin-yokozuna
yokozuna keiko, keiko where a yokozuna is present
yokozuna menkyo, right to nominate yokozuna which was granted to Yoshida Oikaze in 1789; on the 14th day of Hatsu Basho 1951 menkyo was transferred from the Yoshida family to kyokai; Yoshida family still possesses a ceremonial status
yokozuna no sumo, appropriate way for yokozuna to wrestle by convincingly vanquishing his aite
yokozuna-no utsuwa, mental characteristics expected from an ozeki who is being promoted to yokozuna;
strength of character, dignity, honourability etc.; term is often use
in a negative sense to indicate the lack of the demanded features;
compare with hinkaku
yokozuna-ozeki, arrangement where it is possible to artificially create the demanded two ozeki even when there is only one ozeki presently on the banzuke; yokozuna is temporarily marked as a sort of a ozeki on banzuke (tozai depending on which side has a vacant ozeki rank), primarily the term is used for referring to nishi sei-yokozuna but in the very rare case that no ozeki presently exist, both sei-yokozuna could be in principle referred to as yokozuna-ozeki, see saiko-ichi, saikokyu
yokozuna-rashii, yokozuna-like, like a true yokozuna
Yokozuna Rikishi-Hi, monument erected in 1627 to Tomioka Hachimangu in Tokyo on which the shikona of yokozuna and murui-rikishi are carved; monument is dedicated to Hachiman, the god of sumo and war
Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai, board consisting of important persons from outside ozumo community; gives a statement concerning yokozuna promotion candidate, see iincho, soken
Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai keiko soken, see soken
Yokozuna Shingikai, see Yokozuna Shingi Iinkai
yokozuna suikyo shiki, ceremony where two oyakata bring the information to ozeki that he has been invited to become a yokozuna
yokozuna-zumo, see yokozuna no sumo
Yono-shi, district of Saitama where Irumagawa-beya is located
yonyaku, very unofficial term used for all the rikishi above maegashira rank, compare with sanyaku
yori, pushing aite back and over tawara usually with a grip on mawashi, see gabburi-yori
yoridashi, failed (?) attempt by losing rikishi to stop his own backward motion by leaning against the tawara
yorikiri, frontal force out, kimarite that is one of sumo's most common winning techniques, the two combatants will have come to grips and the attacker will drive his aite backwards and out of the ring, maintaining a grip on aite's mawashi at all times.
yorimi, rikishi's ability to use yori techniques more successfully than the average
yoritaoshi, frontal crush out, kimarite similar to yorikiri; in this technique the aite
is driven backwards and literally collapses under the force of the
attack. The attacker here too must maintain some grip on his opponent's
mawashi.
yoru, v. to push, see yori
yoru to misete nage o utta, rikishi fooling his aite by seemingly pursuing yorikiri but suddenly changing the attack into a nage; most often uwatenage
yose-daiko, invitation to arrive to watch the torikumi of the day; played with yagura-daiko early in the morning, see fure-daiko, hane-daiko, Sumida
yose-nabe, soup or stew consisting of vegetables, seafood and chicken (or other poultry?)
Yoshida Oikaze, leader of Yoshida clan who had the original right (menkyo) to grant yokozuna status to an ozeki; at those times yokozuna was not a real rikishi rank and it was not marked on the banzuke, see Yoshida Tsukasa-Ke
Yoshida Tsukasa-Ke, family from Kumamoto which had the right to nominate yokozuna (menkyo)
yosho
yosoo, adj. anticipated, guessed, forecasted; for example yosoo banzuke - banzuke guesses made by sports sections of newspapers before the actual banzuke is released
yotsu, see yotsu-zumo
Yotsugamine, heya active in Nanbu around 1850
yotsumi, wrestling style where both rikishi prefer yotsu-zumo; also rikishi's specialization in yotsu-zumo
yotsu ni kumu, see shikinihairu
yotsu-zumo, sumo concentrated on mawashi grips and techniques executed from those positions; very roughly it can be said that usually rikishi with at least reasonably good technical skills and strong arms prefer yotsu-zumo, compare with namakura-yotsu, oshi-zumo, ai-yotsu, kenka-yotsu
yougo, jargon, for example the terminology used in ozumo
yowai, rikishi in poor shape, compare with genki, tsuyoi
yubitori, bending aite's fingers to unnatural positions which leads to kuroboshi due to hansoku
yudanakumiawasete, gyoji's order to rikishi crouched down to shikinihairu that it is time to begin torikumi
yukata, summer kimono
Yukimiyama, heya which is no longer active
yumi, bow used by rikishi performing yumitori-shiki; also the winner of last torikumi on senshuraku gets one, see ya, tsuru, kore yori san-yaku (ni gozari-masuru), yaku-zumo ni kano
yumifuri, see yumitori-shiki
yumitori, rikishi who performs yumitori-shiki at the end of every honbasho day; usually a makushita ranked (sometimes sandanme or even lower) rikishi who is specialized in this; exceptionally yumitori is entitled to wear kesho-mawashi lend to him by kyokai and oh-ichoh-mage which normally are characteristics of sekitori; yumitori is often yokozuna's tsukebito; in the 1990's Futagoyama-beya's Wakakaze acted long as yumitori, now Musashigawa-beya's and yokozuna Musashimaru's tsukebito Shinmei is yumitori
yumitori-shiki, the bow twirling ceremony performed at the end of every tournament day, see yumi, yumitori
yurufun, despised way of tying up mawashi so loosely that aite's grip on it is not as effective as normally, see yurui fundoshi
yurui fundoshi, mawashi tied up loosely, see yurufun, fundoshi
yusho, tournament win of honbasho, see zensho yusho, yusho-gaku, yusho-doten, makuuchi saiko yusho
yusho arasoi, see arasoi
yusho-gaku, about 350 cm tall pictures of yusho winners; hung on the ceiling of Kokugikan; paid by Mainichi Shimbun newspaper and coloured over black and white photos by an elderly lady; after being in Kokugikan for six years they are given to the respective rikishi; prior to every honbasho held at Kokugikan two yusho-gaku depicting latest honbasho winners are revealed
yusho-doten, final record of the winner of honbasho or record of two or more rikishi who participate in kettei-sen or tomoe-sen and hence have better records than other rikishi, see ai-boshi
yusho kettei-sen, see kettei-sen
yusho ni junzuru seiseki, second best final record in a honbasho which entitles to jun-yusho and is usually only one shiroboshi behind yusho-doten
yusho ni karamu, twelve or thirteen shiroboshi (expected from yokozuna) which normally are enough to be in the yusho race
yuusei, superiority, dominance
zabuton, thin pillows softening masu-seki seats
zabuton ga maita, "the zabuton danced", see zabuton no-gakkai
zabuton no-gakkai, spectators' custom of throwing zabuton onto dohyo after an exciting or surprising (especially in case of kinboshi) torikumi despite opposite requests by representatives of kyokai
zasai, Chinese style pickles
zeki, honourific expression added to the end of sekitori's shikona, see -san, -sama, -chan, -kun, -oyakata
zenhai, see zenpai
zen-han-sen, about ten makuuchi torikumi preceding nakairi, see ko-han-sen
Zenkoku chibikko sumo-jin-kai, children's sumo association
zen-kyu, honbasho which is missed totally due to kyujo, compare with tochu-kyujo, see kosho seido
Zen Nihon Senshuken, Japan's amateur sumo championship competitions, see Nihon Amateur Sumo Remmei
zenpai, winless tournament record (0-15 among the sekitori, 0-7 among the toriteki), compare with zensho (yusho)
zensho (yusho), yusho in honbasho without a single kuroboshi, entitled to extra cash reward at least in makuuchi division, see uchitsukazu, compare with zenpai
zento, Chinese pronounciation form for maegashira, originally refers to sento(?)
zori, sandals made out of rice straws, worn by the tategyoji and sanyaku-kaku, see tabi, geta
zu, head, see atama
zubarizuki
zubuneri, head pivot throw, kimarite in which the attacker will bury his head in the defender's chest and then lock up the defender's inside arm by wrapping his own arm around it. He will then twist that inside arm across his own body. With his head as the throw's fulcrum, this twisting motion will force the defender to spin around and over onto his back.
zukuri, type of roof structure of a shinto temple, see Kiritsuma, Irimoya, Shinmei
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Copyright © 1999 - 2003 Juhani Sirkiä - Kotoseiya Yuichi
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