Shikiri
What is Shikiri?
Shikiri refers to the pre-match ritual and stance in sumo wrestling. Before the actual bout begins, both sumo wrestlers (rikishi) engage in a ceremonial process called shikiri-naoshi. This involves a series of actions, including:
- Stomping the Ground (Shiko): Wrestlers lift their legs high and stomp the ground to symbolize driving away evil spirits.
- Throwing Salt (Shio-maki): Wrestlers throw salt into the ring to purify it.
- Squatting and Staring (Shikiri): Wrestlers squat at the shikiri-sen (starting lines) and engage in an intense staring contest, attempting to psych each other out and gauge their opponent's readiness.
This ritual can be repeated multiple times as part of the psychological and physical preparation for the match. The shikiri period is a crucial aspect of sumo, emphasizing the mental and spiritual readiness of the wrestlers before the physical confrontation begins.
Related Article: Sumo Wrestling: The Traditional Japanese Combat Sport
The empty-mindedness of chi sao applies to all activities we may perform, such as dancing. If the dancer has any idea at all of displaying his art well, he ceases to be a good dancer, for his mind stops with every movement he goes through. In all things, it is important to forget your mind and become one with the work at hand. When the mind is tied up, it feels inhibited in every move it makes, and nothing will be accomplished with any sense of spontaneity. The wheel revolves when it is not too tightly attached to the axle. When it is too tight, it will never move on. As the Zen saying goes: 'Into a soul absolutely free from thoughts and emotion, even the tiger finds no room to insert its fierce claws.' In chi sao, the mind is devoid of all fear, inferiority complexes, vicious feelings, etc., and is free from all forms of attachment. It is master of itself; it knows no hindrances, no inhibitions, no stoppages, no clogging, no stickiness. It then follows its own course like water; it is like the wind that blows where it lists.
Bruce Lee