Sumo Speak

場所
Basho
A sumo tournament held over a two-week period. There are six each year.

土俵
Dohyo
The raised clay platform where sumo bouts are held. For traditional reasons the dohyo has salt, washed rice, torreya nuts, squid, kelp, and chestnuts buried within it.

土俵入り
Dohyo-iri
Entrance ceremony performed before the juryo and makuuchi division begin their bouts.

部屋
Heya
A ‘stable’; a building used to house and train rikishi. There are dormitories, cooking facilities and a training dohyo.

幕内
Makunouchi
Also called makuuchi, this is sumo’s top division.

廻し
Mawashi
The thick belt wrapped around a rikishi. Protects the genitals as well as offering a place to grip. Juryo level and higher wear silk of various colors, lower levels wear black cotton.

大関
Ozeki
The champion rank of sumo. Other ranks can be attained by consistent wins, this rank must be granted by the sumo kyokai.

力士
Rikishi
The big guys doing all the pushing and shoving.

横綱
Yokozuna
The rank of grand champion, the pinnacle of sumo.