Sumo is one of the oldest sports recorded in Japanese history. It is notably mentioned in the Nihon Shoki (the second oldest book of Japanese History) as a Shinto ritual to make a request to the kami-sama of the area. Even now, sumo can be seen as somewhat religious. During the creation of the ring, a Shinto priest is present to purify the clay and other materials used. The sumo wrestlers purify the ring by spreading salt, washing their mouths out with water to purify themselves, and clap or stomp to scare of demons.
Thanks to several daimyo, shogun, and emperors throughout Japanese history, sumo was able to carry on from its early roots into today’s world. It is definitely different now, since foreigners are allowed to compete and can actually attain high ranks such as Yokozuna. The reason sumo was able to continue on is because the important people in history liked the entertainment. Figures such as Oda Nobunaga had sumo bouts to entertain important guests and for general leisure. Sumo wrestlers became a major part of Japanese culture as celebrities; and like most celebrities, they can be found doing commercials. Some have messages have some moral meanings like…
…and then there are others…
I admit it’s entertaining to a degree, but I don’t have the urge to eat anything after seeing nearly naked men shuffling to promote pizza flavored cracker sticks.
