Dohyo Matsuri

Kyushu Day One Preview

Andy Kyushu 2025, Kyushu Basho , , ,

Once again, the Dohyo Matsuri will be streamed live on the Sumo Association’s YouTube channel at 8pm Eastern. For those new to the sport, this is the consecration ceremony, based on Japan’s Shinto roots. The kami are beckoned to the dohyo to watch after the action on the dohyo. Let’s hope there will be a safe tournament!

Action will begin on Sunday morning, Japan time with the Jonokuchi bouts. The Top Division action will start later in the afternoon, around 4pm until 6. The schedule of the first two days of sekitori bouts has been published.

In Sanyaku, we will have Komusubi Takanosho open things up against Hiradoumi, Wakamotoharu will fight Sekiwake Oho and Shin-Sekiwake will face Kirishima. Ozeki Kotozakura will mount the dohyo and fight Wakatakakage in a big test of the Ozeki’s fitness. Then Hoshoryu will fight Hakuoho before Onosato caps off the day against Takayasu.

Other bouts that will draw a bit of interest will be Ura versus Tamawashi, Yoshinofuji (ex-Kusano) will fight his first bout with the new shikona against Oshoma. Shodai will fight Atamifuji and Abi will take on Ichiyamamoto. A few months ago we were looking at Daieisho as an Ozeki candidate but he will fight Shishi tomorrow as he hopes to turn things around.

Be prepared to see Endo (Kitajin) and Takarafuji (Kiriyama) in new navy blue jackets. They will likely have security duties and we might see them assemble at the close of the day to help usher folks out of the arena. Sunday Morning at 1am, NHK Premium will have its Dosukoi program on Shitatenage and then Makuuchi action begins at 2am Eastern. Again, that’s a subscription service through NHK Premium. In the US and Canada it’s available with JME. For free, at 3:10am NHK World will stream action live via its website. That usually catches the second half of action, which will include the Sanyaku. The NHK Preview Show is available here.

Sumo Association To Live Stream Dohyo Matsuri, Friday PM US Time

Bruce H Haru Basho 2021 ,

As they have done with the last several basho, the public is not allowed to attend the dedication and consecration of the dohyo for this Tokyo-hosted Haru basho. Instead they offer the public a chance to see it live streamed via YouTube. Start time is 8:00 PM Eastern US time, 5:00 PM Pacific US time Friday. The video quality is usually less than amazing, but it does offer anyone in the world a chance to see this unique and important ceremony without getting on a plane to Japan.

Hatsu Dohyo Matsuri

Bruce H Hatsu Basho 2020

During the morning hours of Saturday, sumo officials, athletes and sumo fans gathered in the Ryogoku Kokugikan to observe the consecration of the clay fighting platform – the dohyo – for the Hatsu Basho. The proceedings took under an hour, and featured a number of rituals to bless the participants, the venue and to enshrine divine energy into the dohyo itself.

With the ritual complete, it’s basho time! Less than 24 hours from now, we will have our first matches. Frankly, I can’t wait.

I have wanted for years to observe this sumo ritual, and it was fantastic to see first hand. For those of you interested, some additional images from the event below.

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