Quick Glossary
Essential Sumo Vocabulary with Kanji
First-time visitor? This glossary distills the core terms you’ll hear inside Ryogoku Kokugikan. Each entry lists the romaji pronunciation, Japanese kanji, and a quick explanation so you can follow the action without pausing to Google.
People & Roles
- Rikishi 力士
- A professional sumo wrestler. Literally translates to “strong person.”
- Yokozuna 横綱
- The highest rank in sumo. Yokozuna perform the dohyō-iri rope ceremony and cannot be demoted.
- Ozeki 大関
- Second-highest rank. Ozeki must maintain winning records to avoid demotion.
- Gyoji 行司
- The referee inside the ring who starts bouts and signals the winner with a gunbai fan.
- Yobidashi 呼出
- Ring announcers who call wrestlers onto the dohyō and maintain the clay ring.
- Shimpan 審判
- Ringside judges who review close calls and can order a rematch (torinaoshi).
Ring & Rituals
- Dohyō 土俵
- The clay ring where bouts take place, bordered by a straw circle.
- Shiko 四股
- Leg-stomping exercise performed to demonstrate strength and drive away evil spirits.
- Tachiai 立合い
- The explosive initial charge when wrestlers clash at the start of a bout.
- Chikara-mizu 力水
- “Power water” offered to wrestlers for purification before entering the ring.
- Gyōji-no-gunbai 行司の軍配
- The referee’s war fan used to point to the winning side.
- Kesho-mawashi 化粧まわし
- Ornate ceremonial aprons worn by top-division wrestlers during ring-entering ceremonies.
Match Outcomes
- Kimarite 決まり手
- Official winning techniques. There are over 80, ranging from force-outs to throws.
- Yorikiri 寄り切り
- A fundamental kimarite where a wrestler grips the mawashi and drives the opponent out.
- Oshidashi 押し出し
- Push-out victory achieved without grabbing the mawashi.
- Hatakikomi 叩き込み
- Slap-down technique that causes the opponent to lose balance and fall forward.
- Shonichi 初日
- The first day of a tournament. Fans wish wrestlers “good shonichi” for a strong start.
- Senshūraku 千秋楽
- The final day of a tournament, capped by the Emperor’s Cup award ceremony.
Gear & Seating
- Mawashi 廻し
- The thick silk belt worn during bouts; grips on the mawashi are crucial for offense.
- Sagari 下がり
- Stiff cords hanging from the front of the mawashi, indicating the legal gripping area.
- Tamari-seki 溜席
- Premium ringside cushion seats closest to the action. Strict etiquette applies.
- Masu-seki 枡席
- Tatami box seating for groups of up to four, located just behind tamari seats.
- Arena seats 椅子席
- Numbered chair seats in the upper bowl, offering Western-style comfort and clear views.