Dohyoiri or “entering the ring”

Cultural News, November 2007

The colorful dohyoiri by makuuchi rikishi.

  Sumo has managed to survive with its formalized ritual and traditional etiquette intact making it unique among sports. On each day of the tournament immediately before the makuuchi matches are scheduled, the colorful dohyoiri or “entering the ring” ceremony takes place.

   Down one aisle in reverse order of their rank comes on team of makuuchi rikishi wearing keshomawashi or ceremonial aprons. These aprons, beautifully made of silk, richly embroidered with different designs and hemmed with gold fringe cost at least 2 million yen.

    The rikishi climb into the dohyo and go through a short ritual ancient in sumo traditional after which they depart to be followed by the other team entering from the opposite aisle to repeat the ritual. Earlier in the day the juryo perform a similar ceremony before their matches.

   The leading roles in the dohyoiri are reserved for the yokozuna who have not taken any part in the ceremony up to this moment. A yokozuna comes down the aisle attended by a senior gyoji and two makuuchi rikishi in keshomawashi one bearing a sword.

  Over his keshomawashi the yokozuna wears a massive braided hemp rope weighing from 25 to 35 pounds tied in a bow at the back and ornamented in the front with strips of paper hanging in zigzag patterns. This is a familiar religious symbol in Japan.

  It can be found hanging in Shinto shrines and in the home over the “shelf” of the gods where offering are made at New Year.

   While the gyoji and two attendants crouch in the dohyo, the yokozuna performs the dohyoiri ceremony with the greatest dignity. After first clapping his hands together to attract the attention of the gods, he extends his arms to the sides and turns the palms upward to show he is concealing no weapons.

    Los Angeles Grand Sumo Tournament will take place on June 7 and 8, 2008 at Los Angeles Sports Arena. For more information, check the website: www.sumotour.com.