Dohyo-iri
What is Dohyo-iri?
Dohyo-iri is the ring-entering ceremony performed by sumo wrestlers before official matches during a sumo tournament. This ceremony is steeped in tradition and ritual, reflecting the deep cultural and religious roots of sumo wrestling. There are different types of dohyo-iri ceremonies, depending on the rank of the wrestlers involved.
Types of Dohyo-iri
- Makuuchi Division Dohyo-iri:
- Participants: Wrestlers from the top division, known as Makuuchi.
- Procedure: Wrestlers enter the ring in two groups, representing the East and West sides. They wear their ceremonial kesho-mawashi aprons and perform a series of synchronized movements and poses. This includes clapping their hands, raising their arms, and stomping their feet to purify the ring and drive away evil spirits.
- Gyoji: The referee, known as the gyoji, announces the names of the wrestlers as they enter the ring.
- Juryo Division Dohyo-iri:
- Participants: Wrestlers from the second-highest division, known as Juryo.
- Procedure: Similar to the Makuuchi division, but usually less elaborate. Wrestlers also wear kesho-mawashi and perform synchronized movements.
- Yokozuna Dohyo-iri:
- Participants: The highest-ranked wrestlers, known as Yokozuna (grand champions).
- Procedure: The Yokozuna dohyo-iri is more elaborate and involves specific rituals. There are two styles of Yokozuna dohyo-iri: the Shiranui style and the Unryu style. The Yokozuna is accompanied by two attendants: a tachimochi (sword-bearer) and a tsuyuharai (dew sweeper). The ceremony includes a series of symbolic movements, such as raising the arms, stomping the feet, and performing specific poses that signify strength and purity.
Significance
- Purification: The primary purpose of the dohyo-iri is to purify the ring, known as the dohyo, and to drive away any evil spirits. This is in line with Shinto beliefs, which are deeply embedded in sumo tradition.
- Tradition and Respect: The ceremony is a way to show respect for the sport, the audience, and the wrestlers themselves. It emphasizes the importance of ritual and decorum in sumo.
- Visual Spectacle: Dohyo-iri adds to the pageantry and spectacle of sumo wrestling, making it not just a sport but also a cultural event that attracts spectators from around the world.
Overall, the dohyo-iri is a vital part of sumo wrestling, showcasing the sport's rich traditions and cultural heritage.
Related Article: Sumo: Pre-fight Customs and Rituals
Self-defense is clearly my focus in this book. What is it? It is the recovery from stupidity or bad luck—from finding yourself in a position you would have given almost anything to prevent. It is difficult to train for because of the surprise element and the possibility of being injured before you are even aware of the conflict. The critical element is to overcome the shock and surprise so that you can act—to “beat the freeze.” Self-defense is about recovery. The ideal, however, is to prevent the situation altogether.
Rory Miller