| A |
-- |
-- |
| B |
Banzuke |
The official listing of rank in ozumo. |
| C |
-- |
-- |
| D |
Danpatsu-shiki |
A rikishi's retirement ceremony in which his top knot is formally removed. |
| Dohyo |
The sumo ring. Made of packed clay, it consists of a square platform
with a circle made of dirt-packed straw bales imbedded in its surface.
The dohyo is between 34 and 60 cm. in height and the diameter of the inner circle is 4.55 m.
|
| Dohyo-iri |
The formal ring entering ceremony performed by members of the top
two divisions in ozumo. |
| E |
-- |
-- |
| F |
-- |
-- |
| G |
Gino-sho |
The Technique Prize. This prize is given to a rikishi
in the top division ranked below ozeki who demonstrates outstanding technique over the course of a given "basho" or tournament. |
| Gyoji |
The referees. There are eight ranks in this profession, with promotion
based on a combination of seniority and competence. Each gyoji will take one of two "clan" names as his family name; Kimura or Shikimori. |
| H |
-- |
-- |
| I |
-- |
-- |
| J |
Jonidan |
The second division from the bottom on the banzuke or official listing of rank. |
| Jonokuchi |
The lowest division on the banzuke or official listing of rank. |
| Juryo |
The second highest division on the banzuke or official listing
of rank. Juryo is the first division in which rikishi receive all the privileges and honors that come with being a member of ozumo's
elite, "sekitori" class. |
| K |
Kanto-sho |
The Fighting Spirit Prize. This prize is given
to a rikishi in the top division ranked below ozeki who demonstrates the most fighting spirit over the course of a given "basho" or tournament. |
| Kesho-mawashi |
The ceremonial apron worn by rikishi in the top two divisions during
their dohyo-iri or ring entering ceremony. |
| Komusubi |
The fourth highest position on the banzuke or official listing of rank.
|
| L |
-- |
-- |
| M |
Maegashira |
Indicates a rikishi in the top, Makunouchi division
competing below that division's elite, top four ranks.
|
| Mage |
The top knot worn by rikishi. The top knot is shaped into two different
hair styles. The first, the chonmage, is worn by all rikishi. The second, the o-icho, is worn by members of the top two divisions when
they compete and on other formal occasions. |
| Makushita |
The fourth division from the bottom on the banzuke or official listing of rank. |
| Makunouchi |
The top division on the banzuke or offical listing of rank. |
| Mawashi |
The loincloth like garment worn by rikishi when they train or compete. |
| N |
-- |
-- |
| O |
O-icho |
The more formal hair style worn by rikishi in
the top two divisions when they compete and on other formal occasions |
| Ozeki |
The second highest rank in ozumo. |
| P |
-- |
-- |
| Q |
-- |
-- |
| R |
Rikishi |
Literally, "a gentleman of strength". This is
the term used to indicate a competitor registered with The Nihon Sumo Kyokai. |
| S |
Sandanme |
The third division from the bottom on the banzuke
or official listing of rank. |
| Sanyaku |
The term originally used to indicate the three ranks of komusubi,
sekiwake and ozeki. Today, the term is usually used in reference to the komusubi and sekiwake only. |
| Sechie-zumo |
Sumo performed at the ancient Japanese imperial court as both a
religious function and a form of entertainment. |
| Sekiwake |
The third highest position on the banzuke or official listing of rank. |
| Shikiri |
The toeing-the-mark ritual that precedes the start of every bout in sumo. |
| Shukun-sho |
The Outstanding Performance Award. This prize is given to a rikishi
in the top division ranked below ozeki who defeats the most yokozuna or ozeki over the course of a given "basho" or tournament. |
| T |
Tachimochi |
The yokozuna's sword bearer during his dohyo-iri
or ring entering ceremony. |
| Tate-gyoji |
The highest ranked gyoji or referees in ozumo. They will hold one
of two names; Shikimori Inosuke or Kimura Shonosuke. |
| Toshiyori |
A term used to refer to the retired rikishi who remain in ozumo
as managerial employees of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai. They are more commonly refered to as "oyakata" and their most important function is the training
and education of rikishi. |
| Tsuyuharai |
Serves as the "usher" of the yokozuna during his dohyo-iri or ring entering ceremony. |
| U |
-- |
-- |
| V |
-- |
-- |
| W |
-- |
-- |
| X |
-- |
-- |
| Y |
Yokozuna |
The highest position on the banzuke or official
listing of rank, the yokozuna are often referred to as the living symbols of sumo. |
| Yumitori-shiki |
The bow twirling ceremony performed at the end of every tournament day. |
| Z |
-- |
-- |
