THE NATIONAL SPORT OF JAPAN
·
The national sport
of Japan is Sumo, a traditional Japanese form of wrestling. Sumo has a long and
rich history in Japan, dating back over a thousand years. In this response, we
will explore the history, rules, techniques, and cultural significance of Sumo,
as well as its current status and future prospects.
·
History of
Sumo:
Sumo
has its roots in ancient Japan, where it was performed as a religious ritual at
Shinto shrines. The earliest known written record of Sumo dates back to the 8th
century, and the sport has been performed continuously in Japan since that
time.
·
Sumo began to
evolve into a more organized form of competition during the 16th century, when
it was performed at the imperial court and became popular among the samurai
class. By the 17th century, Sumo had become a professional sport, with
organized tournaments and a ranking system.
·
In the modern
era, Sumo has continued to evolve and grow in popularity, becoming one of the
most iconic aspects of Japanese culture. Today, it is watched by millions of
people around the world, and Sumo wrestlers are revered as cultural icons in
Japan.
·
Rules of Sumo:
The
rules of Sumo are relatively simple. Two wrestlers, or rikishi, face off in a
circular ring, or dohyo. The objective of each wrestler is to force his opponent
out of the ring or to make him touch the ground with any part of his body other
than the soles of his feet.
·
Each match
begins with a series of rituals and ceremonies, including the throwing of salt
to purify the ring and the stomping of the feet to intimidate the opponent. The
wrestlers then take their positions at opposite ends of the dohyo and prepare
to face off.
·
The match
begins with the sound of a bell, and the wrestlers charge towards each other
with the goal of gaining the upper hand. The winner of the match is the
wrestler who forces his opponent out of the ring or makes him touch the ground
with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet.
·
Techniques of
Sumo:
Sumo
is a sport that requires strength, agility, and technique. The wrestlers use a
variety of techniques to gain the upper hand in a match, including pushing,
pulling, and throwing.
One
of the most common techniques in Sumo is the tsuppari, which involves using a
series of quick, powerful slaps to the opponent's chest to knock him off
balance. Another common technique is the yotsu-zumo, which involves grabbing
the opponent's belt and trying to lift or throw him out of the ring.
·
Sumo wrestlers
also use a variety of footwork techniques to maintain their balance and evade
their opponents. These include the tsuri-dashi, which involves lifting the
opponent up by his belt and throwing him out of the ring, and the kote-nage,
which involves using the opponent's arm to throw him to the ground.
Cultural
Significance of Sumo:
·
Sumo is much more
than just a sport in Japan - it is a deeply ingrained cultural tradition that
has played an important role in Japanese society for centuries. The sport is
steeped in ritual and ceremony, and it is often viewed as a symbol of Japanese
culture and identity.
·
Sumo wrestlers
are revered as cultural icons in Japan, and they are often seen as living
embodiments of traditional Japanese values such as strength, honor, and
discipline. Many Sumo wrestlers also become famous outside of Japan, with fans
around the world admiring their skill, power, and dedication to the sport.
· Sumo tournaments are major cultural events in Japan, drawing large crowds of fans and tourists from around the world. The most prestigious tournament is the Grand Sumo Tournament, which takes place six times a year in different locations around.
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