With tournament action just a few days away, the Sumo Kyokai crew in Nagoya have completed construction of the venue’s dohyo. The traditional sumo combat platform is built or re-built by hand before each tournament, and is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The dohyo will be consecrated in a ceremony early on Saturday, with the leading men of the Kyokai and local dignitaries in attendance.
It pretty much HAS to be rebuilt every time, because by the end of the tourney it’s cracked to heck ;p Something about 300+lbs men getting thrown around on it, I suppose =-p
So the one at the Kokugikan has a surprising life at times, and gets lowered into a protective vault when not in use. It comes back to use for kids sumo and other events prior to the next honbasho in Tokyo.
My assumption is the one at the Kokugikan is still “reviewed and fixed” before each use. Even if it’s simply to rub wet rags across it to re-hydrate the clay a bit.