Sumopedia
Sumopedia
Sumopedia
Documentary
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Overview
Sumopedia offers short videos to enrich your sumo experience. Learn about techniques, traditions, and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple, but the more you know, the more you see.
Status: Ended
First Air Date:
Runtime: 0h 2m
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
Episodes - Season 1
Yokozuna
Yokozuna
Episode 1
The host presents some interesting facts and stories about Yokozuna, the top rank of all Sumo ranking which requires the wrestlers to climb up the rank by winning tournaments and being selected by the officials.
Tachiai (Initial Charge)
Tachiai (Initial Charge)
Episode 2
In sumo, the tachiai (initial charge) can have a big impact on the outcome of a match.
Techniques
Techniques
Episode 3
Here are a few of the 82 recognized winning techniques used in Grand Sumo.
Gyoji
Gyoji
Episode 4
The gyoji plays several indispensable roles during a sumo tournament.
Chanko-nabe
Chanko-nabe
Episode 5
Chanko-nabe is a hearty meal that builds the massive bodies of sumo wrestlers and gives them the energy to train.
Kokugikan
Kokugikan
Episode 6
The Kokugikan is a sports stadium in Tokyo where Grand Sumo tournaments are held several times a year.
Dohyo
Dohyo
Episode 7
The dohyo is the sacred ring where sumo wrestlers face off during tournaments.
Rituals in the Sumo Ring
Rituals in the Sumo Ring
Episode 8
Before a sumo match can begin, several rituals are required to clear the air and expel evil spirits.
Mawashi
Mawashi
Episode 9
See what goes in to making the mawashi that sumo wrestlers wear during bouts.
Yokozuna Ring-Entering Ceremony
Yokozuna Ring-Entering Ceremony
Episode 10
Learn the basics of the Yokozuna Ring-Entering Ceremony that precedes top division matches.
Rivals: Akebono and Takanohana
Rivals: Akebono and Takanohana
Episode 11
Flash back to the 1990s when the fierce rivalry between Akebono and Takanohana lit up the world of GRAND SUMO.
Prize Money
Prize Money
Episode 12
Have you ever wondered what's in the stack of envelopes that sumo wrestlers receive after winning a bout?
Gyoji's Attire
Gyoji's Attire
Episode 13
The traditional clothing worn by the Gyoji (referee) in the sumo ring play an important role in carrying out their duties.
Mono-ii (Judges Objection)
Mono-ii (Judges Objection)
Episode 14
In cases where the outcome of a sumo bout could go either way, ringside judges can dispute the call with a "mono-ii."
Sumo Topknot
Sumo Topknot
Episode 15
Sumo wrestlers stand out in a crowd thanks to their massive build, mawashi belt and, of course, their iconic hairstyle known as "mage."
Championship Prizes
Championship Prizes
Episode 16
Sumo wrestlers don't just win glory when they are crowned champion at a tournament. They also get their hands on a wide variety of prizes, ranging from cash to an entire cow-worth of beef.
Gyoji Shouts
Gyoji Shouts
Episode 17
The gyoji (sumo referee) keeps bouts in order with a lexicon that's exclusive to the sport.
Keshomawashi
Keshomawashi
Episode 18
Before top division bouts begin, wrestlers perform a ring entrance ceremony wearing colorful keshoumawashi (brocaded aprons) that express fighting spirit and individuality.
Sagari (Sumo Belt Cords)
Sagari (Sumo Belt Cords)
Episode 19
The host gives an in-depth view of the long-standing history and the making of the Sagari belt cords worn by wrestlers during combat.
Bow Twirling Ceremony
Bow Twirling Ceremony
Episode 20
After the completion of a day's bouts, the ritualistic yumitori-shiki is performed with a traditional bamboo bow in order to fend off evil spirits.
Foreign-Born Rikishi
Foreign-Born Rikishi
Episode 21
Grand Sumo in Japan witnesses wrestlers from more than 20 nations and many of them have made their marks on the national stage.
Banzuke (Rankings)
Banzuke (Rankings)
Episode 22
Sheds light on the rankings in Japanese traditional sumo, called banzuke, highlighting the importance of rankings and how wrestlers can be affected by them.
Sumo Stables
Sumo Stables
Episode 23
Stables are where wrestlers eat, sleep, and breathe sumo.
Basic Sumo Training
Basic Sumo Training
Episode 24
Sumo wrestlers train their bodies through a strict daily regimen of exercises known as "keiko" to gain the speed, power, and agility needed in the tournament ring.
Putting on Mawashi
Putting on Mawashi
Episode 25
Learn all the twists and turns required to properly wear the mawashi (belt) that sumo wrestlers are famous for.
How to See Grand Sumo
How to See Grand Sumo
Episode 26
Seeing GRAND SUMO in person is a popular attraction for visitors to Japan. Here's all you need to know before you go.
Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
Episode 27
Yorikiri (frontal force out) is one of the most common moves in sumo. The concept is simple, but mastering it is not easy.
Throwing Techniques
Throwing Techniques
Episode 28
Get a grip on some of sumo's dynamic throwing techniques.
Becoming a Sumo Wrestler
Becoming a Sumo Wrestler
Episode 29
See how an intense training regimen and a strict bulking diet transformed a lanky 80 kg 15-year-old boy into one of the greatest sumo wrestlers to ever set foot in the ring!
Kinjite (Forbidden Moves)
Kinjite (Forbidden Moves)
Episode 30
Using any of these forbidden moves in sumo is grounds for disqualification.
The Floating Roof of Sumo
The Floating Roof of Sumo
Episode 31
The iconic roof floating above the GRAND SUMO ring has its roots in history, but it's actually an invention to solve a modern conundrum.
Rank of Ozeki
Rank of Ozeki
Episode 32
Ozeki is the second-highest rank in sumo wrestling, and although it is not the top rank, the wrestlers still face tough challenges.
Yobidashi
Yobidashi
Episode 33
In addition to building and tearing down the ring for every tournament, these men do whatever it takes to keep the bouts moving along without a hitch.
Gold Star Victory
Gold Star Victory
Episode 34
An upset victory of a maegashira sumo wrestler against a yokozuna is known as kinboshi, or gold star victory.
Salt Tossing
Salt Tossing
Episode 35
The act of tossing salt into the sumo ring before a bout is a purification ritual, but that doesn't mean that wrestlers can't sprinkle a dose of personality into how they go about it.
Leg Tripping Techniques
Leg Tripping Techniques
Episode 36
Although many sumo bouts are won through pushing and thrusting, sweeping the leg of an opponent can also earn a wrestler a trip to the winner's circle.
Belt Fighting Style
Belt Fighting Style
Episode 37
Highly-ranked sumo wrestlers leverage their strong grasp of yotsu-zumo fighting styles that target the belt of their opponent to win bouts.
Push and Thrust Style
Push and Thrust Style
Episode 38
Pushing and thrusting (tsuki-oshi) is one of the most basic styles of sumo wrestling, and it's also one of the most effective when done right.
Ceremonial Hand Gestures
Ceremonial Hand Gestures
Episode 39
Ever wondered what sumo wrestlers are doing with their hands after they've won a bout?
Special Prizes
Special Prizes
Episode 40
A prize is given to any wrestler who has met criteria during a sumo tournament and is below the Ozeki and Yokozuna rank.
Dressing Room
Dressing Room
Episode 41
Enriching the sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.
Live Sumo Broadcasting
Live Sumo Broadcasting
Episode 42
Broadcasting of sumo wrestling on television has evolved over the decades.
Sumo Training School
Sumo Training School
Episode 44
Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.
Ceremonial Guards
Ceremonial Guards
Episode 54
Explores the role of the ceremonial guards, who accompany the wrestler to the sumo ring and help perform the ceremony before the makunouchi division begins.
Henka (Dodging)
Henka (Dodging)
Episode 45
The Henka technique is commonly used by smaller sumo wrestlers to dodge and quickly win when the match starts.
Higi (Self-inflicted loss)
Higi (Self-inflicted loss)
Episode 46
Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.
Nobori
Nobori
Episode 55
Examines the large flags called nobori, which are usually placed at the entrance of sumo venues to let people know when the wrestling is happening.
Ottsuke
Ottsuke
Episode 52
Explains ottsuke, which is a move in Sumo wrestling that can be used to parry the incoming attack and turn the tide of the situation effectively.
Ring Entering Ceremony
Ring Entering Ceremony
Episode 49
Explains the basics of the yokozuna ring entering ceremony in sumo wrestling and the process of making kesho-mawashi, the giant white silk belt worn by the top class wrestlers.
Ring Names
Ring Names
Episode 43
Examines the meaning behind the names of sumo wrestling rings, which mostly originate from animals or locations.
Ryogoku
Ryogoku
Episode 50
Explores the peaceful town of Ryōgoku, known as the home of sumo. Located in the area is the Ekoin Temple, which has been hosting sumo matches for centuries.
Starting a Bout
Starting a Bout
Episode 48
Explains the different situations during the start of any sumo wrestling match which can result in matta or a false start.
Sumo Drum Beats
Sumo Drum Beats
Episode 47
Explores how drum beats are used to convey messages about sumo wrestling, with different beats playing depending on the context.
Sumo Hair Expert
Sumo Hair Expert
Episode 51
Explores the traditions behind the hairstyles of sumo wrestlers, which are prepared by hairdressers called tokoyama.
Tokudawara
Tokudawara
Episode 53
Explores the story behind how people strengthened the sumo ring in ancient time by using special parts filled with sand called tokudawara.
Yukata
Yukata
Episode 56
A look at the material and story behind yukata, a form of clothing usually worn by sumo wrestlers during summer.