Sumo
| “ | よいしょ! | ” |
Sumo is a form of wrestling originating in Japan where two rikishi (wrestlers) attempt to force their opponent out of the dohyo (ring) or into touching the ground with anything other their feet. A centuries-old sport, it includes many ritual elements stemming from Shinto. For example, salt is tossed into the dohyo to purify it. Or more notably, during the dohyo-iri, wrestlers forcefully stomp their feet to crush evil spirits beneath the dohyo. Each year sees six honbasho (Grand Sumo Tournaments) occurring every other month. As I am writing this, I am watching the September tournament on Twitch, and I am starting to get incredibly hooked.