Sumo, Japan’s national pastime returns to the limelight again with the announcement of the Sumo Association that the annual 15-day spring tournament will get under way January 10 at the Kokugikan amphitheater in Ryogoku, Tokyo.

    With Japanese people returning to the Spartan mode of living, traditional Japanese customs have regained its former popularity. And sumo more than ever should draw the interest of the entire nation, its history being almost as old as the nation itself.

    Broadly speaking this ancient sport has undergone little change throughout the years. Seen today are many of the customs which prevailed during the feudal times. For Example, one of the unique facts of this ancient art, is that the office of "Gyoji" of referee was made hereditary in the two families of Shiga and Yoshida. Even to this day the family of Yoshida is represented and he holds the formal authority in naming the Grand Champion or Yokozuna.

    Wrestlers today are broadly graded into two groups, the Maku-no-uchi ("Within the curtain") and the Maku-shita ("Outside the curtain"). The Maku-no-uchi consists of the three champion wrestlers, Ozeki, Sekiwake, and Komusubi. An Ozeki may be further distinguished by being promoted to Yokozuna or Grand Champion, a position held by Futabayama and Minanogawa, leaders of the West and East squad respectively for this coming tournament. This is the highest position attainable in the ring.

    The Grand Champion alone is entitled to wear around his waist the coveted straw belt, the privilege of granting which is reserved to the aforementioned family of Yoshida. Between the Maku-no-uchi and the Maku-shita comes a body of about 20 wrestlers called maegashira.

    Until a few years ago the tournaments lasted for 11 days. However the popularity of the matches and the desire of the Wrestling Association to increase revenues has brought about the present 15-day tournaments.

    The Kokugikan, the site of the matches provides accommodation for 12,00 spectators and is usually filled to capacity during the tournament. The ring is the work of artists who take great care in the construction of it for the tournament. It is sanded and raised somewhat above the level of the lowest seats. Present day arrangement finds only an inner circle and a square, each former by 16 rice bales. The bales are supposed to represent the signs of the zodiac and the months of the year.

    An official necessity is the placing of a pail of water on each of the eastern and western side for the use of the wrestlers, who on entering the ring wash their hands and rinse their month with the water. The umpire is assisted by four "seniors" who are themselves retired wrestlers.

    In professional sumo, victory is seldom gained in a minute or two, as the men seldom fall at once. More often one encounter lasts from 10 to 15 minutes. The winner being the wrestler who forces his opponent to fall or even let any part of his body above the knee to touch the ground or pushes the opponent out of the ring. While it may appear that brute strength leads to victory, traditional rules guide the wrestler in the manner in which they may defeat the opponent. It is said that 48 different ways are allowed, namely 12 throws, 12 lifts, 12 twists and 12 backthrows.

    One of the colorful ceremonies is the Dohyo-iri or "ring-entry". This comes between the bouts and consists of a clapping of hands and stamping of feet by the wrestlers who are garbed in beautifully made aprons.

    The closing ceremony of the tournament is another traditional event in which the three champions of the victorious side, that is the side that has scored the largest number of points, are awarded prizes. The prizes which are given out by the umpire in a solemn ritual consist of a bow for the Ozeki, a bow-string for the Sekiwake and a fan for the Komusubi.

    Throughout the tournament, the hour which brings about the greatest stir starts about two in the afternoon when champions and near champions enter the ring for their matches.