You tell a discipline that our shares, in the West, but certainly seems bizarre that Japan is followed by large crowds and the fascination with flavors of religious rites.
While in Tokyo and the major cities of Japan baseball and American football have supplanted the sumo (the Japanese national sport), it is equally true that in small towns and villages, instead of the "diamond", enthroned in the middle country classic circular ring on earth.
Print, television and all the media in general, during the famous basho or major tournaments (will take place six major tournaments a year: January, May and September to Kuramoe Kokugikau Tokyo, in March in Osaka in July in Nagoya , in November in Fukuoka) devote ample space to the races and people, millions, is appropriate to support its beniamini, as we go to tifare for Del Piero, Petacchi, Rocca.
From time immemore these men by gigantic proportions, some really pachidermici are taken into great consideration in Japanese life, vezzeggiati, courting, and admired idolatrati. Attend a meeting of sumo is a little back 'back in time, back to a kind of mythical Japan, which has always cultivated the physical strength together with the mental strength.
The typical circular platform (same for centuries), hypertrophic men dressed only one belt (mawashi), which covers the stomach and testicles, gaudy colors of kimono of arbitrators and judges, the ceremonies before the races, with strong religious mysticism, have the power to give power to a great attraction, a big spectacular. It 'really a show worth to assist because of its uniqueness, for its deep bond with the oldest and most noble traditions in Japanese for his singularity. And this article is to make you penetrate the fantastic world of sumo.
If we go to Kuramae Kokugikau, the mecca of Tokyo sumo, we can see that a large area of the gym is reserved no less than to the emperor. This signifies the passion that still animates the reigning home (descended from the mythical family Yamatai) against sumo and sumotori (athletes of sumo).
And 'known fact, as is the power has always been the favourite sport from the imperial family. The Kojiki or Nihon Shoki (maximum two historical works of Japan, written in the seventh century, but dealing with the mythical Japan of the early centuries), devoted many pages to legendary meetings between samples is that sumo scontravano in titanic duels to the death (Today absolutely prohibited, so as to render the power of a less bloody sport of our time). We can certainly say that the history of sumo go hand in hand with the history of Japan itself, a sort of parallel lives and concatenate closely among themselves.
The large size of sumotori and their exceptional always been true worship. In the fight between two sumoka Japanese once even saw a clash between two gods. Today maybe not, but the respect that they have performed in clashes in the mushi (unconscious act in the sense of zen) remains large.
The Japanese people has always been small stratura (although today the average is very definitely grown thanks to the new way to eat) and rather frail and weak. Hence the great respect for the large and robust corporature for those men truly touched by the fortunes of a kami (Japanese deities) and the estimate, from worship.
The successive emperors over the centuries, as we lords of the court had in jesters, mimes, singers and tournaments chivalry their hobbies, they are in power with its bloody and divine encounters. It is said that the favor of the emperor has created precisely the professionalism among sumoka since the sixteenth century, under the domination (shogunate) Oda Nobunaga, famous daymio (corresponding to our feudal vassal) Japanese.
There are many testimonies of literary popularity of sumo in Japan feudal samurai. One of the most famous meetings between Akashi is the son of a samurai, and Nio Nidaya, Nagasaki. The victory arrise the first became the first yokozuna (maximum sumoka a title that can aspire to achieve after years and years of practice in which we not only determined by the number of victories achieved in the major tournaments, but especially by those values expressed in bushido, that loyalty, courage, chivalrous spirit, humanity etc.) in the history of sumo.
This famous sumotori has some 'ingigantita figure, not only in the moral sense of the term. It was written that he was high more than eight feet (almost two and a half meters) and pesasse over four hundred pounds (nearly 158 kilograms). A true colossus, which is not to say.
In more recent times, it should be mentioned the extraordinary character who was Hitachiyama (19 ° yokozuna history), which lost only eighteen meetings in eighteen tournaments and was the first to go abroad to give demonstration of sumo. It was even presented to the President Delano Roosevelt when he went to the United States for a tour. At that Hitachiyama showed his great chest while naked stomach and the legs were covered only by the characteristic grembiale (kesho-mawashi) damask and quilted gold that sumotori wear in the opening ceremonies of their tournaments.
Done historical curious: When the commodore Perry arrived with his warship in the port of Yokohama to persuade the Japanese to break their century-isolationism, the sumotori were used to try to dissuade the high American official its intentions. Hundreds of people gathered on fighters docks and gave demonstrations of their exceptional strength and raising loading bales of rice with great ease and throwing a sea sailors sprovveduti those Americans who agreed to meet with them. All this is not avoided that history goes to its song.
There can also be forgot a friendly giant whose name Takamiyama of art is but in truth is called Kuhaulu Jesse, a native of the island of the archipelago of Hawaii Mau and living in Japan for many years after it became a sumotori professional (first among Westerners) and (always unique in the history of this peculiar sport) has succeeded in 1972, winning the Cup of the emperor, the highest laurel in sumo, after a favourable season basho.
Takamiyama, that when he went to Japan twenties weighed around 100 pounds for about two metres high, is now among the biggest sumotori with its 140 kilos.
The ordeal of sumotori - The fact that an American has managed to become a professional fighter (and among the strongest), with what this implies, that the assimilation of a particular mindset that derives from a culture completely different from yours, also symbolizes the profound changes that have come to create in the world of sumo in recent decades. After that terrible period of the first War and the aftermath of war then, sumo has risked dying in Japan, disappearing because in a kind of industrial society like the one that came to form, which led values different from those traditionally known, we could not find more of young people (already equipped physically) who want to dedicate their lives to sumo. I felt an anachronistic, as it was still linked to a type of feudal mentality of absolute dependence on the "boss" owner of the gym so we had to work a lifetime sport.
So, quite unusual, the professional association of Japanese sumo, while giving new life to this sport, agreed that a western penetrasse nell'esclusivissimo world of sumo. Now, there are all over the Japan around seven hundred professional fighters divided into various categories, the most important of which is the maku-uchi which can be reached after years of victories and selections through the hardest tournaments by category, but each year the number tends to decrease their that the recruitment is becoming increasingly difficult. The sumo, as the major Western Barnum, running all year for Japan in large and small towns for popolarizzarsi. Wherever the circus arrives, sumo, is willing to seek young entrarvici. This approach to sumo many young people, but after a few months the leave to return to their villages and seek employment. Because it is difficult to "hold" in sumo? What's become sumotori? Vediamolo.
When a couple decides to make the sumotori is like if they decide to break away from the kind of world in which he had to do until then to enter a totally different rules with iron and very intransigent and although we have to accept that if you want to take the long road to maku-uki.
Leave the house and goes to live at the gym where they recruited (I use the term "fitness" even if the English term is translated as "stable, stable, breeding," and in some respects that would be more appropriate). Here sleeping rooms in common with another ten, twenty, thirty sumotori (if a team is important), all older him not so much age maybe because of experience, that is, practice. And how will the lovers of martial arts, this is what determines the hierarchical pyramid inside the dojo. In other words, he is the recruits who must "respect and services to those who come before him.
While in our barracks "grandparents", according to a stupid tradition, forcing recruits to undergo certain their jokes, even if temporarily, in the sumo stables of "work", that clean the gym, go to the shops and shopping for sumoka the established which is "entrusted" (it becomes a kind of "waiting" sumoka), prepare their breakfast after practice, let them bathe, pettinarli in typical hair chonnage that the samurai used, and this kind of cosucce become the daily bread of young aspiring wrestlers.
Together with all these domestic work enough that the young sumoka must arrange to repay his "boss" of the few coins that gives food for the possibility of sleep and, most importantly, what is taught in the art of sumo, There are training, long, sfibranti. A sumotori rises to five in the morning until ten at the gym is to take the ring of land. Then there is breakfast, a little 'rest (if there are facilities to be completed) and then prepares lunch, washed dishes and in the afternoon we still trains a few hours (there are no women in the dojo of sumo, everything is done by them). Finished training will help sumoka which has been assigned to swim and so on for years and years… Just a good life!
This is why many do not find it too "democratic" and leave the team after some time. Obviously if you have class and you can in sumo, as they progress in the various categories or divisions, you increase consideration among colleagues, lower futile work, begin their first earnings (which can be considerable if you are a true champion ), things begin to go much better.
Until it "breaks" and then the former aspirant sumoka becomes in turn one to riverire and treat, in a never-ending process.
According to Jesse, dozens and dozens of times he decided to do away with that life impossible, but his tenacity together with a great physical strength he has been given the chance to be a champion and now repents not have made the choice to stay Japan and groped in the way of sumo.
The strategies and techniques - When you attend a meeting of sumo is still amazed to see the agility Natural femoral of those big animals. Before each meeting the sumoka running shikiri-naoshi or positions consisting of the preliminary piazzarsi in that position in karate is known as shiko-dachi (legs and feet with the tips facing outwards), in the first leg raise right, then the left side tense and very high and then beat the heavily foot on the ground.
Then, again in the same position in the fall as much as possible as if you wanted to sit taking the legs and feet out. Then he beat his hands, one against the other, open arms and after it passed through the ceremony of chikara-mizu (pretending to drink or drink a small sip of water from a bucket placed at the side of ring - the water of strength, as it is called - and he threw a handful of salt of the earth ring as a sign of purification, it moves at real.
The two sumoka you in the eye scrutano starting a psychological battle. They try to imagine that the strategy will use adversary and thereby seek to choose their suits you best. There are a few square meters away, under the command of the arbiter, shiko dachi. Slowly they fall to the ground first handful left then right. As soon as the referee gives the signal, they can leave when they want. As two tiger-sumotori is the panzer scagliano against each other and the game in consistendo able to leave the ring for the first opponent or in fagli touch ground with his hands, or body (ie the project) trying to implement essentially two types of strategies: the first consists in contact with the enemy through real sberle in quick succession who have the power to disorient the opponent then that is suddenly pushed out of the circular ring. This technique is called tsuppari and is congenial to those sumoka high stature and long limbs as Takamiyama.
The other type of combat is rather congenial to those sumoka of great strength, of small stature and big weight. It's called hidari yotsu or migi-yotsu and consists of pounds against the opponent with great momentum (the impressive noise that comes from the clash of two sumoka launched against each other), nell'afferrare the mawashi and working on it , depending on the outlet on the right or left (migi-hidari), the opponent gets up and deposited beyond the edge of the ring, or the projects on the ground.
This second mode of combat is the most traditional and like most viewers because it is usually longest of the type of combat, thereby prolonging them the pleasure of struggle. In any case it must be said that the meeting of sumo drains in a nutshell. It may take a second or maximum (Mean Time) ten seconds. Very few, if you think about the hours and hours that are dedicated to sumo every day.
Initially, especially if you have the misfortune of dealing in the lower divisions sumotori - where the technique is still low and are different technical levels - has been led to believe that, ultimately, the game is not worth the candle. But as the basho intensity increases gradually introducing the various divisions or categories, one begins to understand, until, as in performances that meet, most recently the primattori not appear, sumoka of kaku-uchi, whose meetings are really repetition of the traditional duels of the ancient samurai. Great mental concentration, formidable determination, conscious or unconscious choice of action to be taken in the race, starting and… victory or death! A lightning and one of the two contenders has lost, this time without bloodshed.
Watch and see - For the layman may even seem that there is a lot of technique in fighting power: two men are to go until one of two exits from the ring, or one that raises another. Sometimes, though rarely, you see someone that starts as a bulldozer and another that avoids like the matador avoid the attack of the bull, with a rapid lateral displacement (hataki-Komi).
These impressions of the meeting of maximum power. But just addentarsi in this art, and notice better the position of the hands of sumoka if the place under the arms of others, or on the mawashi, right or left guard, and so on, to understand instead how many techniques exist in this sport for Cyclopes .
How can read dall'autobiografia of Takamiyama, it takes years and years of training to master durissimi even a kind of strategy with the appropriate techniques. I sumotori, as has been said, are recruited on the basis of certain physical characteristics, the most important of which is the strength (not important that a high or low). Then, along with special training who have the power to donate sumotori to articulate the necessary agility, train with fellow team various techniques gradually: strengthen the lower limbs (especially the thighs and buttocks, with special attention to knees usually critical point for sumoka), and then the upper limbs lifting weights, pushing logs and… pushing especially sumoka experts.
Then there's the problem of weight which is always a crucial element (though not in an absolute sense) in the fight, or very important. I sumotori feed especially taking care to eat foods that will keep weight (this item is also big problems because sumoka food, rich as sugar, causing more than 50 percent of them diabetes, noiosissima but treatable disease).
These special training, centered on impulse, causing young people sumoka profound physical alterations. It accentuates so abnormal physiological curve of the spine in lumbar level that causes the lordosi first and then the… lardosi, typical of sumotori, with those enormous bellies pointed prue that seem certain Asian ships. On the other hand it is absolutely necessary because the stability, low centre of gravity, is the first - and only - sumotori concern if it is to succeed in sumo.
There are young sumoka, really fat, but that fat soft and ballonzolante that some disgusta '. There are also sumoka of big and fat, but so solid that a handful of a karateka in their belly would only tickling.
After several months of training (the period of apprenticeship is more or less depending on the long-personal skills of young sumoka) are starting to compete for meetings starting from novices to those of the lower divisions to begin then, the passing years, climbing those superiors.
The drawing is as follows: we have said that there are six or basho major tournaments each year to last fifteen days each, during which it is fought every day. These tournaments are beginning to affect the sumotori when reaches at least in Division maku-shita that is the basis of the hierarchical pyramid of power. We therefore juryo, the maegashira or komusubi and sekiwake. Obviously we pass category imposing in their tournament provides that the basho. Here come, we are nearing maximum division, that of ozeki. Among the ozeki, every year, which is not a fixed rule, appoint yokozuna which can be two, three oo even once. The yokowuna is the highest level of power, which lies just a few elected, a true great champions, men really complete both technical and human. To them the honour of the basho started with a traditional ceremony which has close ties with religion Shintoist.
"Basho" - When the parade sumotori of maku-uchi in characteristic mawashi covered by tsuna (the sort of richly decorated apron), the first and then those of the west ones, among them the yokozuna is not only easily recognizable because it is the last to enter the ring but also because he is the one who has the belly surrounded by a characteristic white tsuna weighing 12 kilos, which was knotted six helpers and similar to those huge gomene used to retain ships docks.
The habit of yokozuna is very regal, compared incutono its bulk and its grit. In the circular ring, while an assistant holds the sword, the yokozuna has the right to run the dohyo-iri a ceremonial gestures and positions whose intrinsic meaning escapes us, but that has profound addentellati with religion Shintoist.
After the dohyo-iri, where the yokozuna also gives proof of his power by running the bar of the foot on the ground - that always inspires admiration among the people - the yokozuna is the first to leave followed by the other ozeki. And the big tournament begins. They take place judges on the edge of the ring, but they never fail to intervene. It takes place the referee central dressed in sgargiante to resemble a Pierrot. Sale ring on the gyoji, who, with a portfolio in hand, turned to the public first right and then left and… sings the names of the early contenders.
When he goes, appearing first two sumoka. It approaching a bucket of water wood. With a ladle, similar to what is found at the sources of Shinto temples, but carry a sorsata water to the mouth. Usually they spit, the other drink. They dry mouth with a piece of white paper. Before getting on the ring, take another bucket by a handful of salt and throw in the land of the circle. They come in the circle. Their faces are contracts, eyes fixed look nothing. We think the forthcoming meeting, focus. The gestures are now repeated mechanically. Eseguono one squats to heat the femoral articulation. Then you place the line of sight to the edges of the ring. From a position heels together and apart tips (mushi dachi) down to battone legs bent and hands with each other, stretching arms. Stood up, we bring into shiko dachi. Alzano first the right leg and then the left and do the shiko. This approach, while the referee takes position in a meter away. He sort of a hand fan with whom, when the lower, will signal. They release the weight of the body on avampiedi so that we can start with the maximum thrust (Various' how centometristi seek the best position to the starting blocks). At… is a signal moment! One of the two will win and you will remain a certain anger because that wonderful spectacle lasted too little ...
Rich gains - sumotori experts (the ranking is determined only by the value and not by weight categories) are stars comparable to our players have salaries millionaires and a number of fans impressed, affectionate and often even willing to pay. Precisely the yen is the motivation that led to sumo many foreigners. I am a sixty those professionals, come mainly from Mongolia, South Korea and, more recently, from Europe.
In Sadogatake stable is the star of the moment: Kotooshu, a Bulgarian ventiduenne that some years ago he abandoned the fight greek-Roman (after being junior champion, the first that the balance tradisse) traghettandosi to sumo. Here it is more fat and better for gaining weight, twice a day pasteggia with mythical chanko-nabe, a stew iperproteico based chicken, fish, carrots, turnips, onions, radishes, Chinese cabbage, tofu and mushrooms that spandendo bubbles for hours in a room smell inviting.
And then there is alcohol - To increase the tonnage is used also to bottle: beer or sake. We eat together, seated on the floor with your legs crossed. But how do these "panzoni" coming to weigh 250 pounds to move sinuous as the Ferrari? The agility is the first rule of a fighter and when they see face heavier opponents also know that having to deal with such a confrontation is like, a cross between a car and a cat. The meal is ready, before leaving the ring the fighters sing the anthem of sumo, thanks opponents promise and the greatest commitment to become champions. In the afternoon, after the siesta (inevitable with meals by 7000 calories), there is another training and for some other "jobs". The road to glory in Japan is often paved with suffering.
But what does "power"? Literally the word means "strattonarsi each other." The origin rial to the legend of the emperor Suinin (lived on horseback of the birth of Christ) and then was a struggle sometimes fatal. Regulated by names-no-Sukume the sumo then transformed in the form of military training, becoming a ceremonial rite with (shikiri) still respected.

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On sumo, integration service Sport of emperors, found on these pages, we like to publish these lines that provide other interesting data the ancient discipline born in Japan. It 'a small contribution of knowledge on the "sumo sport," the one that fans dioscipline Eastern - not only - could observe and admire in "Milan sumo open", the world tournament which was held on September 30 at Center Casual Crespi of the Lombard capital. Look, this is an important event, because it was the first disputed in Italy.
The sumo Sports has birthdate quite recently (around 1992) and took its first steps in Italy ten years ago. It is distinguished from traditional sumo for some fundamental factors. E 'be divided into weight classes and competitions are open to women. The weight categories are women's -65 kg, -80 kg, +80 kg and open. For men kilos -85, -115 kg, +115 kg and open.
In Italy discipline is followed directly by Fijlkam (Italian Federation judo karate fight martial arts), which in its organization chart provides a special national committee whose members John Parutta (technical director) and Elio Scuderi. This committee and is chaired by Nino Caudullo. At the "Milan sumo open" Caudullo Nino has performed the functions of head of the delegation composed of blue training coach Giovanni Parutta from athletes Paola Boz (Fiamme Azzurre), Fiorella Marcolina (Jc Fenati Spilimbergo), Anna Polon (Sekai Budo Pordenone) and Barbara Lenarduzzi (Dojo Team Bologna) and the athletes Fausto Gobbi (Judo Club Milan), Vincenzo Ficco (Fiamme Azzurre), Cristian Scarci (As Simon Fiumicino), Marco Ferretti (Hi Mizu Kaze Pordenone), Alessio Palermo Cerrone and Mario Tuccillo both of ' Palermo Sports Association of Naples. Referee international Alessandro Geri.
The sumo sport is practiced in Italy for over ten years: the first European title was won in 1997 by Cristian Scarci. As we remember Nino Caudullo and John Parutta, the first reports Sumo Italian with others countries came through some stages held by Japanese experts, the first Olympic preparation Center Fijlkam in Ostia and later in Sassari, during an edition of the Trophy Guido Sieni Judo. Workshops ended with real races that consensus had big audiences, especially in Sardinia.
It is necessary to emphasize as the literal meaning of the word is sumo strattonarsi each other, which commemorates the struggle traditional Sardinian s'istrumpa which means sbilanciarsi. Moreover, the two types of struggle have technical aspects in common, including taken defined and purpose to lose the balance to your opponent.
John Parutta not fail to emphasize the good behaviour of the blue in sumo international commitments, including the Open of Austria (success Paola Boz), the European Games (with medals Fausto Gobbi and even Paola Boz), Osaka World Championships (highlighted Fiorella Marcolina and Marco Ferretti), the European Championships Riesa (bronze Paola Boz). The coach John Parutta also shows good performance in recent years, Anna Polon European Championship cadets and juniors (gold and silver).
From the first experiences have made a lot of progress and also showed young people to appreciate this very discipline that appears easy, even in its technical subtleties. Last year, on December 12, 2006, was disputed in the PalaFijlkam of Ostia The tournament reserved for national youth born 1990-1993 which collected a lot of supporters. This year is the calendar, the two in December, again at Lido di Ostia, a national tournament open to all juniors and seniors athletes to Fijlkam card for the fight or the judo: the event involves a potential catchment area of a few dozen of thousands of athletes of our Federation.
The Milan sumo open ", disputed with the official recognition of Fijlkam, World Federation, the European Union and the power of patronage of the Lombardy Region, was organized by the Judo club Milan, active and passionate black belt initiative of 5 ° dan in judo Fausto Gobbi, athlete who is also valid practitioner of sumo, which has approached sports in 2004.
He has collaborated in determining the International Sumo Fan Club, an association that promotes throughout the world the power sport. It 'interesting to remember as the chairman of isituzione this is a woman, the Estonian Kairi Kuur, six medals in world and European championships, leading to World Games and tournaments worldwide.
Thanks to the promotion carried out by Sumo Fan Club has been in Milan strong turnout of foreign teams, including the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, Hungary, Mongolia, Norway, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Estonia.
Per chiudere, alcune curiosità comunicateci da Fausto Gobbi: l’atleta più giovane la svizzera Michaela Heiniger (18 anni, pesi legger); il più pesante l’olandese Haitma Alsasi (alto due metri, ha dichiarato 170 chili). Il più leggero il muscolosissimo statunitense Trent Sabo.
Grandi atleti in lizza — come è andata a finire ve lo diremo nel prossimo numero) — il campione del Mondo Byambajav Ulambayar, Mongolia, il tedesco Alexander Czerwinski, l’olandese Saber Hussein. Ingresso gratuito, ovviamente, perché — come ci ha ricordato Fausto Gobbi — il presidente della International Sumo Federation Hidetoshi Tanaka “non vuole assolutamente che il sumo diventi un circo e ci siano interessi finanziari in ballo”.