Australian Grand Sumo Tournaments
大相撲オーストラリア公演
Australian Grand Sumo Tournaments will be held as part of a program from 1996-1998 commemorating the friendship between Australia and Japan.
The period 1996-1998 marks the anniversaries of a series of important milestones in the development of the Australia-Japan relationship. During this period the Australian and Japanese Governments have agreed to mark these anniversaries with a series of events. The logo has been developed as the official symbol of the ‘Friendship Anniversaries’.
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Sumo is an ancient sport which dates back some 1500 years.
Early sumo was a scrappy affair but over time, rules were formulated and techniques developed so that it came to resemble the sumo of today.
Traditional banners show rikishi names
The sumo ring, made from a special clay, is called the dohyo. Bouts are contested in an inner circle, and are won by forcing the opponent out of this circle, and are won by forcing the opponent out of this circle or throwing him in the dohyo. The rikishi(wrestler) who touches the ground with any part of his body or steps out of the inner circle loses the bout.
Rikishi bout on dohyo.
Striking with fits, hair pulling, eye gouging, choking and kicking in the stomach or chest are prohibited as is seizing the part of the mawashi(silk loincloth) which covers the rikishi’s vital organs. With no weight limits, rikishi may find themselves up against opponents twice their own weight.
The winner of a tournament is the rikishi with the best win / loss record. The matches of the lowest ranked rikishi start in the morning, followed by those of progressively higher and higher rank, ending with the bouts featuring the yokozuna(Grand champion)
Oseki Musashimaru
The yokozuna’s position is unique. Only 65 rikishi have achieved this honour since the title was first created 300 years ago. Only the yokozuna can never be demoted. Should he continue to have bad records, he is expected to retire. Under the critical gaze of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai, candidates for yokozuna must have proven themselves to be men of character worthy to hold such an exalted position.
Yokozuna Takanohana
Yokozuna Akebono
A sumo bout begins with colorfully clad gyoji(referee) entering the dohyo with the rikishi to announce the names of the combatants. During the match the gyoji watches the rikishi carefully and shouts out words of encouragement. If there is any doubt about a referees decision, the four judges in black kimonos may enter the ring to decide the result. They may over-rule a referee or order a rematch.
Each rikishi enters the dohyo and performs a series of symbolic movements, drinking water to cleanse his mind and body and scattering salt to purify the ring. The rikishi then squat and glare fiercely at each other in the centre of the ring. This is called the shikiri.
Maku-uchi(Top ranked rikishi) Dohyo-iri
Returning to their corners for more salt, they repeat the shikiri again and again, usually for the full four minutes allowed under the rules.
Theoretically, the rikishi wait for the psychological moment when they both feel ready to achieve victory.
Nihon Sumo Kyokai(Japan Sumo Assoc.)
are proud to present the Australian Grand Sumo Tournaments to be held in Melbourne on June 6 and 7 and in Sydney on June 13 and 14.
Never before seen in Australia, this once in a lifetime opportunity will allow Australians to experience first hand, the power and the glory that is Sumo.
The June tournaments, will mark the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Australia and Japan.
Tickets are selling fast, don’t miss your chance to see one of the most powerful and explosive events to come to Australia this year.
AUSTRALIAN GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENTS
7pm FRI 6/7pm SAT 7 JUNE
MELBOURNE PARK
7pm FRI 13/7pm SAT 14 JUNE
SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Organised by: Nihon Sumo Kyokai(Japan Sumo Association)
With help form: State of Victoria, Sate of New South Wales, City of Melbourne, City of Sydney.
Supported by: Australian Embassy Tokyo, Japan Australian New Zealand Society, Inc.
Armacosts honor Shin Yokozuna Akebono
U.S. Ambassador Michael Armacost and his wife Bonny listen as newly promoted Yokozuna Akebono(Hawaii’s Chad Rowan) addresses his fans at an embassy reception in his honor. CBS News Yokyo Bureau Chief Bruce Dunning with James Hattori. Fuji Xerox Chairman and CEO Yotaro Kobayashi, his wife, former sumo great, now stable master for Akebono, Azumazeki Oyakata(former Jesse Kuhaulua), Mike and Bonny Armacost.
At left: Penny Johannessen, wife of the ACCJ President, with Japan Times’ Jean Pearce. Kathy Kriger, Delta’s Joe Hale and his wife Marguerite.
Returning to their corners for more salt, they repeat the shikiri again and again, usually for the full four minutes allowed under the rules.
Theoretically, the rikishi wait for the psychological moment when they both feel ready to achieve victory.
Akebono posed with scores of fans that evening among them(from left) Kazuko Drake, U.S. Cultural Attache Robin Berrington(with a photo Hersrey took of Akebono and Tom Selleck) and Coca-Cola’s Robert Harland and Kinuyo Sato.
記事：Australian Grand Sumo Tournaments Reception【1997.06.10】