SUMO WRESTLING

Lee Walton
Feb 2, 2017
3 min read

According to the oldest collection of Japanese historical documents, the Nihonshoki (or Chronicles of Japan), the first sumo match took place sometime between 29BC and 70AD in present day Katsuragi City in Nara Prefecture. A local man named Taimano Kehaya, credited by the Nihonshoki as having “superhuman strength” boasted that, “There is no one in this world who can defeat me. If there is such a person, though, I want to fight him.”

When then Emperor Suinin heard of this boast he asked the members of his court and his servants if they knew of a man with the strength to challenge Taimano Kehaya. A man named Nomino Sukune was recommended by one of the Emperor’s servants and Sukune was promptly summoned from his home in

Izumo (present day Shimane Prefecture) to fight against Taimano. The fight between Taimano Kehaya and Nomino Sukune is credited with being the first sumo match.

The Kehaya-za Sumo Museum

Even though Katsuragi City’s local hero Kehaya lost the fight and died of the injuries he incurred (so much for his bragging) Katsuragi City established The Kehaya-za Sumo Museum in 1990 to teach visitors about sumo history and tradition. The museum has its own dohyo, or sumo arena, made of earth and built to the same specifications as real competition dohyo. Under traditional Shinto traditions a competition dohyo is considered a sacred space where women and shoes are not permitted. Despite its authenticity the Sumo Museum’s dohyo is considered a display piece and does not have the same restrictions. As such sumo workshops, complete with bulky sumo body suits, rubber sumo hair topknot skull caps, and instruction are available to all visitors as is the opportunity to enter the ring and have a good natured sumo match with friends or fellow visitors. Performances of Sumo Jinku, Sumo-themed songs, are held the first Sunday of every month, and special events featuring real sumo wrestlers and performances are held during special events two to three times per year.

The shokkiri comedic sumo show is easily the most fun of the special event held by the museum. Shokkiri means, “a humorous display of fouls,” and shokkiri shows feature sumo wrestlers engaging in the type of behavior that would get them disqualified in a real sumo match. The 4th-wall breaking slapstick performance of a shokkiri show recalls the antics of Bugs Bunny cartoons and The Three Stooges films and transcends language and culture. Even non-Japanese speakers will find themselves rolling with laughter. Best of all foreign visitors receive free admission to the Sumo Museum by presenting their passport at the ticket window.

The Kehaya-za Sumo Museum is a short 400 meter walk from Taima-dera Station on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line. From Osaka get a local or semi-express train from Kintetsu Osaka-Abenobashi Station directly to Taima-dera, a 37-minute ¥560 train ride. From Kyoto get a Kintetsu Line express (¥1,010 and 95 minutes) or limited express train (¥1,910 and 77 minutes) to Kashihara Jingumae Station and then change to a local or semi-express train on the Minami-Osaka Line.

Sumo Wrestling Tour

Experience Nara Tours - Course B

Leaving from NARA Visitor Center & Inn, visit Taima-dera temple and envelope yourself in its rich history, exquisite ancient artwork, and try Shabutsu - tracing an image of the Buddha which is said to help you meditate and bring enlightenment . If that's not enough, top off your afternoon by dressing up as a sumo wrestler and battling your frinds in an authentic, competition sumo arena!

For more details on this exciting sumo tour, click here

Sumo Cosplay

If your schedule doesn't allow for a trip down to Taima-dera and the Sumo Museum, fear not for you can also try a little bit of sumo cosplay at NARA Visitor Center & Inn. Every Tuesday and Thursday, several costumes are freely available for visitor to try on and have their pictures taken - unsurprisingly, the sumo costume is proving to be the most popular.