Imagine a sport where in order to succeed, one must combine the gracefulness of ballet, the discipline of judo, and the mindset of a champion wrestler. In Japan, sports are often a representation of religious beliefs and customs. Also one of the oldest sports, sumo wrestling is one of the most respected and well thought of sports in the country of Japan (Kodansha 47). By taking a deeper look into the history, life of the wrestlers, and some traditions of the sport of sumo wrestling, a person can see a unique set of rules and beliefs set by the sport itself.
A person can see a strong belief in keeping ones heritage by looking at the history of sumo wrestling. This sport is said to be over two thousand years old, however archaeological evidence shows other versions of sumo practiced as far back as the year 250. Sumo was often performed around the agricultural calendar. They believed that the winner of the tournaments would bring good fortune to the rest of the village along with a plentiful harvest for the coming year. Throughout the Nara period (646-794) sumo was performed strictly as a way of entertainment for the Imperial Courts. Over the course of the early 1600's, sumo became a widely beneficial sport, often being used to gain money for the building or repair of local shrines. It wasn't until the early seventeenth century that sumo wrestling returned to its religious purpose. During this time, an organization was formed that tried to remove the violence that had taken control of the sport during previous years. Sumo was banned in all public places and was then restricted only to the more religious shrines and temples (Bargwanna). During the Edo period (1600-1868), sumo finally became a professional sport. It is practiced at many levels including high school, college, and amateur but is most thought of as a professional sport. Sumo has always been set in a ring of clay and sand.
