Why do sumo wrestlers wear mawashi

These days, Kesho Mawashi is only worn by the top sumo wrestlers, usually when they are introduced at the beginning of a tournament opening. Kesho Mawashi are usually colorful, sometimes eclectic, and usually have symbols or designs associated with their country of origin.

Performed to show gratitude to the Gods and Goddesses of Shinto, apparently there are fewer chances for these wrestlers to cheat by wearing nothing but a mawashi. In Shintoism rituals and the Japanese culture, competing without wearing clothes is considered as a way for sumo wrestlers to show Gods and Goddesses of Shinto that they are playing honestly without cheating.

Turkish oil wrestling and Mongolian wrestling matches are conducted in a similar way these days, with an aim of proving that no weapons were hidden and no fraud was committed. We share all interesting stories about Japan; travel guide, food, shopping, and many trivial stories. May 16, Clip Share. Have you ever wondered why sumo wrestlers in Japan always compete half naked?

That something is of course the mawashi. There are two main types of mawashi worn by sumo wrestlers. Those are always black. The same type of mawashi — but in white — is worn during practice by sekitori , wrestlers in the top two divisions.

In tournaments, though, they wear a silk mawashi called a shimekomi. A third type known as kesho mawashi, which is highly decorated, is worn by sekitori during the ring entrance ceremony. Standard canvas mawashi material is about 45 cm wide and comes on a long roll.

A length normally between five and six meters depending on the girth of the wrestler is cut off. Fans of each team will unite as one, singing fight songs to the sound of trumpets and taiko drums, releasing massive numbers of balloons into the air, slapping tiny plastic bats together, and cheering their team on with unending enthusiasm.

Although Koshien—which marks its centennial this year—features student athletes, all games are broadcast live to the intense excitement of fans all over Japan.

The high school athletes chosen to represent their hometowns set out with heavy expectations laid upon them, and compete as if their lives depended on the outcome. No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form. Skip to Content.

Public Relations Office, Government of Japan. English Japanese.