Solemn Ceremony Complete

Earlier on Saturday, the sumo association luminaries, top rikishi and religious dignitaries performed a series of sacred rites in the center of the dohyo constructed at Tokyo’s palace of sumo: Ryōgoku Kokugikan

With this step complete, the ring is ready for battle, and sumo matches will begin early in the day on Sunday January 8th.

If you are new to watching sumo outside of Japan, your best bets are to get the NHK World application for your mobile device, or to frequent YouTube channels

Jason’s All Sumo Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/JasonsinJapan

Kintamayama: https://www.youtube.com/user/Kintamayama

Sumo File: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWJh5G_PNPTFzkTPCldprvw

A sumo tournament is 15 days long, and it’s correct to think of them as 3 acts each lasting 5 days.  In the first third, a lot of sumotori will not be quite “in the groove” yet, and some of the bouts are going to be hit or miss, especially with many of the athletes taking time off over new years.  The second ⅓ is where the intensity escalates and we find out who is seriously going to contend for the championship.  The last third is where hearts are broken and dreams are crushed as everyone competing searches for the endurance to prevail.

So enjoy the basho, and keep a browser tab open to Tachiai, as we begin our wall-to-wall coverage today.