In Defence of Sumo: Japan's Greatest Martial Art
Calling Sumo Japan's greatest martial art is certainly controversial, but I believe Karate and Kickboxing hold no candle to the longstanding tradition of Sumo.
Despite its shining reputation in Japan, the western world often dismisses Sumo as fat men pushing each other around – a punchline, more than anything. But having taken the time to sit down, watch, and interact with the sport, I have found a whole new appreciation for the technique and culture behind Sumo.
The Long and Turbulent History of Sumo:
The birth of Sumo, as it was before regulations and modernisation, is often attributed to the first Sumo fight between mortals in 23BC, as written in the Nihon Shoki. In this period, Sumo would likely have resembled the ancient Greek sport of Pankration, and to some extent, Modern Mixed Martial Arts. Fighters are said to have fought to the death, using striking as much as grappling to disable and kill their opponent.
Following the collapse of the Japanese Emperor around the 1180s and through the Japanese Middle Ages, Sumo experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, as it left the courts of Nobles and spread to the common people of Japan. Fighters would be sponsored by the Daimyo, powerful feudal lords, and the fighting style became an important pillar in the training of Samurai.
With monumental popularity came an eventual decline. During the Edo Period, wild fighting on the streets led to the banning of Sumo. Around 1684, Sumo was permitted as a charity event, and an official sumo organisation was formed.
Sumo struggled during the 1800s, continuing its difficult course through a world that was slowly modernising. In a culture obsessed with the western world, it was seen as a relic of the past and a backwards custom. Its eventual revival came with the Emperor Meiji's tournament in 1883-1884. Sumo had quickly regained its popularity, and became a symbol of Japan.
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| Kanjin Grand Sumo Tournament, 1843 |
It is needless to say that Sumo, in its history, has been around much longer than both Karate and Kickboxing, which stand as the most iconic of Japan's martial arts. Karate was only introduced around the 1300s, following newly established trade relations with China. Kickboxing is much, much younger, having been developed in the 1900s after a series of matches between Karatekas and Nak Muays.
Sumo followed the long rocky history of Japan. It moved from the courts of Emperors and nobles to the towns of common people, enduring through a harsh ban and becoming a national symbol of Japan almost two thousand years after its inception.
Sumo in the Modern Day:
Sumo fighters are broken up into six divisions, starting at the bottom and working their way up to the rank of Makuuchi. The Makuuchi rank is split up into five further sub-ranks, headed by the massively prestigious Yokozuna – the kings of Sumo.
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| Hakuho Sho, in traditional Yokozuna Dress |
Tournaments (Basho) are held six times a year, and each one lasts 15 days. A Sumo fighter undergoes 15 fights, one each day, and their record is split between victories, defeats, and fights a fighter is absent from.
Fighters are often criticised for being fat – this is very prevalent in western culture rather than Japanese. The truth however lies in their training, and the way Sumo operates as a sport. There are no weight classes, therefore being a higher weight can be advantageous to a fighter, evening out the playing field against a larger opponent.
The Sumo Physique – Health and Fitness:
Sumo Fighters' bodies, like any sport, are specifically trained for the unique strain of Sumo. They are required to move quickly, and shift large amounts of weight through their legs alone. In a way, they can be compared to powerlifters, who train for short bursts of power rather than prolonged effort, such as in Boxing or MMA.
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| Screenshot taken from SumoBoi on Youtube |
In the picture above, one can see the muscle coming through the fat on Hakuho's (left) back and shoulders, as well as the calves and thighs as he bursts forward. Sumo have to be incredibly strong to carry their own weight with explosive energy, as well as be able to shift and pick up opponents weighing up to 180kg.
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| Enhō Akira, Courtesy of Wikipedia |
Perhaps the best example of this is Enhō Akira, who weighs a surprisingly low 98kg. Despite his significantly lower weight, he has become known as a Giant Slayer for taking down countless larger opponents. He is currently active, and ranked Maegashira 4.
Training for sumo is intense, as intense in fact as any combat sport. On the surface it may lack the obvious display of technique of other martial arts, however knowing the rules and good technique make all the difference between a legendary Yokozuna and the lower ranks of Sumo.
Sumo Nutrition – the Legendary Chanko-Nabe:
The Sumo diet reflects the necessities of the sport. One of the primary meals eaten by Sumo wrestlers is the Chanko-nabe, a japanese stew consisting of many ingredients and has high amounts of protein and vegetables. The stew is served in large amounts, often with beer, and has no fixed recipe. Most, if not all, Sumo wrestlers know how to make it, and after retirement some open Chanko-Nabe restaurants.
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| An example of a typical Chanko-Nabe |
Here's my favourite video on the subject, made by Vice Asia, and fronted by the Sumo Wrestler Byamba:
In Conclusion:
I hope that you, the reader, have come to think of Sumo more kindly. At the very least, you may have learned something new. By focusing on a sport that is often looked down upon, I hope to teach you how much this world can offer, and how curiosity and open-mindedness is rewarded.
Sumo is a sport that has held a special place in Japanese history ever since the B.C. era – mythology and history grew alongside each other, influencing the sport as much as Sumo had influenced Japanese Society. And now, almost two thousand years after its supposed inception, Sumo is a symbol of Japanese Culture and Tradition. Despite the fame and global glory of Karate and Kickboxing, Sumo stands as the greatest Japanese martial art, and I can only hope you go out and see for yourself.
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