So you want to sumo wrestle

A distinctive form of wrestling, and Japan’s national sport. What it is:

A distinctive form of wrestling, and Japan’s national sport. The word sumo means ‘‘mutual bruising’’. What it is:

Sumo wrestlers are instantly recognisable for their colourful stomach bands, which are known as mawashi, and their unique hair styles, called oicho, which translates as ‘‘ginkgo leaf knot’’.

Sumo dates back to ancient times, but it first became a professional sport in the early Edo period (1600-1868). For many practitioners, sumo wrestling evokes memories of ...