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Sumopedia

Sumopedia

S1 · E1

IMDB:

9.0
Sumopedia

Released

Invalid Date

Duration

0h 2m

Genre

Documentary

Country

Japan

Cast

N/A

Overview

Sumopedia offers short videos to enrich your sumo experience. Learn about techniques, traditions, and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple, but the more you know, the more you see.

Episodes

YokozunaEP 1Available

Yokozuna

2m0.0

The host presents some interesting facts and stories about Yokozuna, the top rank of all Sumo ranking which requires the wrestlers to climb up the rank by winning tournaments and being selected by the officials.

Tachiai (Initial Charge)EP 2Available

Tachiai (Initial Charge)

2m0.0

In sumo, the tachiai (initial charge) can have a big impact on the outcome of a match.

TechniquesEP 3Available

Techniques

2m0.0

Here are a few of the 82 recognized winning techniques used in Grand Sumo.

GyojiEP 4Available

Gyoji

2m0.0

The gyoji plays several indispensable roles during a sumo tournament.

Chanko-nabeEP 5Available

Chanko-nabe

2m0.0

Chanko-nabe is a hearty meal that builds the massive bodies of sumo wrestlers and gives them the energy to train.

KokugikanEP 6Available

Kokugikan

2m0.0

The Kokugikan is a sports stadium in Tokyo where Grand Sumo tournaments are held several times a year.

DohyoEP 7Available

Dohyo

2m0.0

The dohyo is the sacred ring where sumo wrestlers face off during tournaments.

Rituals in the Sumo RingEP 8Available

Rituals in the Sumo Ring

2m0.0

Before a sumo match can begin, several rituals are required to clear the air and expel evil spirits.

MawashiEP 9Available

Mawashi

2m0.0

See what goes in to making the mawashi that sumo wrestlers wear during bouts.

Yokozuna Ring-Entering CeremonyEP 10Available

Yokozuna Ring-Entering Ceremony

2m0.0

Learn the basics of the Yokozuna Ring-Entering Ceremony that precedes top division matches.

Rivals: Akebono and TakanohanaEP 11Available

Rivals: Akebono and Takanohana

2m0.0

Flash back to the 1990s when the fierce rivalry between Akebono and Takanohana lit up the world of GRAND SUMO.

Prize MoneyEP 12Available

Prize Money

2m0.0

Have you ever wondered what's in the stack of envelopes that sumo wrestlers receive after winning a bout?

Gyoji's AttireEP 13Available

Gyoji's Attire

2m0.0

The traditional clothing worn by the Gyoji (referee) in the sumo ring play an important role in carrying out their duties.

Mono-ii (Judges Objection)EP 14Available

Mono-ii (Judges Objection)

2m0.0

In cases where the outcome of a sumo bout could go either way, ringside judges can dispute the call with a "mono-ii."

Sumo TopknotEP 15Available

Sumo Topknot

2m0.0

Sumo wrestlers stand out in a crowd thanks to their massive build, mawashi belt and, of course, their iconic hairstyle known as "mage."

Championship PrizesEP 16Available

Championship Prizes

2m0.0

Sumo wrestlers don't just win glory when they are crowned champion at a tournament. They also get their hands on a wide variety of prizes, ranging from cash to an entire cow-worth of beef.

Gyoji ShoutsEP 17Available

Gyoji Shouts

2m0.0

The gyoji (sumo referee) keeps bouts in order with a lexicon that's exclusive to the sport.

KeshomawashiEP 18Available

Keshomawashi

2m0.0

Before top division bouts begin, wrestlers perform a ring entrance ceremony wearing colorful keshoumawashi (brocaded aprons) that express fighting spirit and individuality.

Sagari (Sumo Belt Cords)EP 19Available

Sagari (Sumo Belt Cords)

2m0.0

The host gives an in-depth view of the long-standing history and the making of the Sagari belt cords worn by wrestlers during combat.

Bow Twirling CeremonyEP 20Available

Bow Twirling Ceremony

2m0.0

After the completion of a day's bouts, the ritualistic yumitori-shiki is performed with a traditional bamboo bow in order to fend off evil spirits.

Foreign-Born RikishiEP 21Available

Foreign-Born Rikishi

2m0.0

Grand Sumo in Japan witnesses wrestlers from more than 20 nations and many of them have made their marks on the national stage.

Banzuke (Rankings)EP 22Available

Banzuke (Rankings)

2m0.0

Sheds light on the rankings in Japanese traditional sumo, called banzuke, highlighting the importance of rankings and how wrestlers can be affected by them.

Sumo StablesEP 23Available

Sumo Stables

2m0.0

Stables are where wrestlers eat, sleep, and breathe sumo.

Basic Sumo TrainingEP 24Available

Basic Sumo Training

2m0.0

Sumo wrestlers train their bodies through a strict daily regimen of exercises known as "keiko" to gain the speed, power, and agility needed in the tournament ring.

Putting on MawashiEP 25Available

Putting on Mawashi

2m0.0

Learn all the twists and turns required to properly wear the mawashi (belt) that sumo wrestlers are famous for.

How to See Grand SumoEP 26Available

How to See Grand Sumo

2m0.0

Seeing GRAND SUMO in person is a popular attraction for visitors to Japan. Here's all you need to know before you go.

Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)EP 27Available

Yorikiri (Frontal Force Out)

2m0.0

Yorikiri (frontal force out) is one of the most common moves in sumo. The concept is simple, but mastering it is not easy.

Throwing TechniquesEP 28Available

Throwing Techniques

2m0.0

Get a grip on some of sumo's dynamic throwing techniques.

Becoming a Sumo WrestlerEP 29Available

Becoming a Sumo Wrestler

2m0.0

See how an intense training regimen and a strict bulking diet transformed a lanky 80 kg 15-year-old boy into one of the greatest sumo wrestlers to ever set foot in the ring!

Kinjite (Forbidden Moves)EP 30Available

Kinjite (Forbidden Moves)

2m0.0

Using any of these forbidden moves in sumo is grounds for disqualification.

The Floating Roof of SumoEP 31Available

The Floating Roof of Sumo

2m0.0

The iconic roof floating above the GRAND SUMO ring has its roots in history, but it's actually an invention to solve a modern conundrum.

Rank of OzekiEP 32Available

Rank of Ozeki

2m0.0

Ozeki is the second-highest rank in sumo wrestling, and although it is not the top rank, the wrestlers still face tough challenges.

YobidashiEP 33Available

Yobidashi

2m0.0

In addition to building and tearing down the ring for every tournament, these men do whatever it takes to keep the bouts moving along without a hitch.

Gold Star VictoryEP 34Available

Gold Star Victory

2m0.0

An upset victory of a maegashira sumo wrestler against a yokozuna is known as kinboshi, or gold star victory.

Salt TossingEP 35Available

Salt Tossing

2m0.0

The act of tossing salt into the sumo ring before a bout is a purification ritual, but that doesn't mean that wrestlers can't sprinkle a dose of personality into how they go about it.

Leg Tripping TechniquesEP 36Available

Leg Tripping Techniques

2m0.0

Although many sumo bouts are won through pushing and thrusting, sweeping the leg of an opponent can also earn a wrestler a trip to the winner's circle.

Belt Fighting StyleEP 37Available

Belt Fighting Style

2m0.0

Highly-ranked sumo wrestlers leverage their strong grasp of yotsu-zumo fighting styles that target the belt of their opponent to win bouts.

Push and Thrust StyleEP 38Available

Push and Thrust Style

2m0.0

Pushing and thrusting (tsuki-oshi) is one of the most basic styles of sumo wrestling, and it's also one of the most effective when done right.

Ceremonial Hand GesturesEP 39Available

Ceremonial Hand Gestures

2m0.0

Ever wondered what sumo wrestlers are doing with their hands after they've won a bout?

Special PrizesEP 40Available

Special Prizes

2m0.0

A prize is given to any wrestler who has met criteria during a sumo tournament and is below the Ozeki and Yokozuna rank.

Dressing RoomEP 41Available

Dressing Room

2m0.0

Enriching the sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

Live Sumo BroadcastingEP 42Available

Live Sumo Broadcasting

2m0.0

Broadcasting of sumo wrestling on television has evolved over the decades.

Ring NamesEP 43Available

Ring Names

2m0.0

Examines the meaning behind the names of sumo wrestling rings, which mostly originate from animals or locations.

Sumo Training SchoolEP 44Available

Sumo Training School

2m0.0

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

Henka (Dodging)EP 45Available

Henka (Dodging)

2m0.0

The Henka technique is commonly used by smaller sumo wrestlers to dodge and quickly win when the match starts.

Higi (Self-inflicted loss)EP 46Available

Higi (Self-inflicted loss)

2m0.0

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

Sumo Drum BeatsEP 47Available

Sumo Drum Beats

2m0.0

Explores how drum beats are used to convey messages about sumo wrestling, with different beats playing depending on the context.

Starting a BoutEP 48Available

Starting a Bout

2m0.0

Explains the different situations during the start of any sumo wrestling match which can result in matta or a false start.

Ring Entering CeremonyEP 49Available

Ring Entering Ceremony

2m0.0

Explains the basics of the yokozuna ring entering ceremony in sumo wrestling and the process of making kesho-mawashi, the giant white silk belt worn by the top class wrestlers.

RyogokuEP 50Available

Ryogoku

2m0.0

Explores the peaceful town of Ryōgoku, known as the home of sumo. Located in the area is the Ekoin Temple, which has been hosting sumo matches for centuries.

Sumo Hair ExpertEP 51Available

Sumo Hair Expert

2m0.0

Explores the traditions behind the hairstyles of sumo wrestlers, which are prepared by hairdressers called tokoyama.

OttsukeEP 52Available

Ottsuke

2m0.0

Explains ottsuke, which is a move in Sumo wrestling that can be used to parry the incoming attack and turn the tide of the situation effectively.

TokudawaraEP 53Available

Tokudawara

2m0.0

Explores the story behind how people strengthened the sumo ring in ancient time by using special parts filled with sand called tokudawara.

Ceremonial GuardsEP 54Available

Ceremonial Guards

2m0.0

Explores the role of the ceremonial guards, who accompany the wrestler to the sumo ring and help perform the ceremony before the makunouchi division begins.

NoboriEP 55Available

Nobori

2m0.0

Examines the large flags called nobori, which are usually placed at the entrance of sumo venues to let people know when the wrestling is happening.

YukataEP 56Available

Yukata

2m0.0

A look at the material and story behind yukata, a form of clothing usually worn by sumo wrestlers during summer.

Cast

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