Sumo wrestler Onogawa Kisaburō blowing smoke at a One-Eyed Monster, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi- Japan, 9th month of 1865 (one of the first sumo’s to perform the dohyo-iri in November of 1789
Sumo Sized Sacred Power of Hemp
For centuries these Sumo wrestlers have used a sacred tool to purify this ring for battle.
You guessed it, this sacred tool is Hemp…
Yokozuna Futabayama Sadaji performing dohyo-iri
The rikishi’s (all sumo’s under Yokozuna rank) all enter the dohyo (ring) from the east or the west.
Forming a circle, they all strongly clap to attract the attention of the gods.
makuuchi dohyo-iri, everyone enters the ring exept the Yokozuna, all clapping to attract the attention of the gods
With the Yokozuna are the tsuruharain (the swordbearer protecting the yokozuna), the tachimochi (the herald or attendant to the yokozuna) and a gyoji (senior referee).
What the Yokozuna wears as a belt is said to purify the ring, Hemp…
c. 1910. A Japanese sumo wrestler prepares for a match
The Yokozuna’s massive hemp belt is called a ‘Tsuna’. Originating from ‘shimenawa’ (sacred Hemp ropes purifying the shinto shrine’s-story to come), the tsuna is giant weighing as much as 35 pounds and 4 meters in length…
To make a tsuna a sacred ceremony called ‘tsunauchi’ is performed. The sacred ceremony actually begins the day before in a preparation ceremony called ‘asa-momi’.
As junior Sumo wrestlers gather, they all knead piles of hemp by hand dusting it with rice bran to remove all oils making this some of the purest hand kneaded hemp…
Sumo wrestlers kneading hemp in the asa-moni – a day before the Tsunauchi ceremony
The Yokozuna wearing the hemp tsuna starts his part in the dohyo-iri…
First he squats and loudly claps to attract the attention of the gods.
Grand Champion Sumo Wrestler, Taiho Clapping to attract the gods attention during dohyo-iri
The yokozuna next puts his arms stretched far out, and reveals his palms open to show the gods he is unarmed.
Showing the gods hands are empty of weapons during dohyo-iri
At last he raises his leg high into the air and with a powerful stomp called the ‘Shiko’, he drives the evil from the dohyo to the screams of “YOH” from the crowd…
With the ring purified by the Yokozuna and his sacred Hemp belt, the match’s can begin…
Yokozuna performing the Shiko (foot stomp) to ward off evil spirits during the dohyo-iri
Just like the shimenawa of the shinto shrines and temples, goheis are also attached on the Sumo’s tsuna. Goheis are zig zag shaped symbols that show the presence of a kami, i.e., a shinto divinity, god or spirit.
The purification power of the dohyo-iri is so strong that they often hold the same ceremony at shinto temples to purify the space.
The sumo sized sacred power of Hemp…
One of the massive hemp ‘fusa’ hanging from the tsuriyane above the dohyo
I’ve always been told answers come from above, well in this case its true…
Looking above the dohyō (ring) hangs suspended ‘the Tsuriyane’ or hung roof. Taking a closer look reveals even more purification power…
Hanging from the corners are gigantic Hemp ‘Fusa’ or colored rope with tassel ends. These fusa help further purify the dohyo while symbolizing the ‘Four Spirits’.
Azure Dragon/ East
Vermilion Bird/ South
White Tiger/ West
Black Tortoise/ North
Holy Hemp…
“the tsuriyane (hung roof)” above the dohyo, dohyo-iri being performed
