Research Journal #008
The men beside the yokozuna caught my eye.
Once I’d cleared away dinner, I opened the photos from today’s ceremonial ring-entering at Meiji Jingu.
Start with whatever catches your eye.
For the days you want to watch sumo,
and the days you want to look a little closer.
Research Journal #007
Fujinokawa, you won from there!
Shiori spends Sunday with Fujinokawa’s September wins over three ozeki, following the grips and changes of direction before each finish.
Research Journal #006
“Going forward” can look so different.
Staying low. Bringing an opponent upright. I started with Atamifuji, and somehow I was still at my notebook after dinner.
Digging Deeper
Research Journal #005 | Atamifuji was moving forward, though.
He advanced in both bouts. Putting them side by side made me notice the wrestler being pushed back, too.
Diary #005
The blue one.
On Sunday evening, Shiori chooses between two handkerchiefs for Monday’s bag.
Sumo and everyday life.
Just one slice first.
By the time I thought about dipping some in the soup, I’d eaten both little pieces.
Confirmed results
September 2026 · Day 15
· JST
September 27 final results: Onosato won the makuuchi championship at 12–3. Kitanowaka won the juryo title after a three-way playoff. All 19 makuuchi and 14 juryo bouts, final records and special prizes are included.
September 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament
After the September tournament
Follow the wrestlers and questions the tournament left behind.
Three questions. Three wrestlers to get to know.
Not sure who to follow? Start here.
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479 articles to explore
Rituals, the ring & people behind sumo
Back to topicsShowing 37–48 of 60 articles
Salt, ceremonial aprons, the referee’s voice: start with something that made you wonder.
What Happens on Senshuraku? Sumo’s Final Day from the Last Three Bouts to the Awards
Senshuraku is the fifteenth and final day of a g…
→Sandan-gamae: Sumo’s Three Postures of Nature, Attack and Defence
Sandan-gamae is an old-form ritual in which the …
→What Are Sagari? The Stiff Strings on a Sumo Wrestler’s Mawashi
The narrow strands hanging from the front of a w…
→The Ringside Cushion That Quietly Shows a Sumo Wrestler’s Rank
A wrestler may bring a ringside waiting cushion …
→Rikishi Handprints: The Sekitori Milestone You Can See
A Sumo Museum exhibition published in 2017 said …
→Makuuchi Ring-Entry Order: Which Side Comes First and Who Enters When?
The makuuchi ring entrance is divided into east …
→How to Look at a Kesho-mawashi During Sumo Ring Entry
A kesho-mawashi is the richly decorated ceremoni…
→Kaobure Gonjo: The Sumo Chant That Introduces Tomorrow’s Bouts
Kaobure gonjo is a formal announcement of the ne…
→Hakkeyoi and Nokotta: Hear the Shape of a Sumo Bout
The referee's *hakkeyoi* is not the equivalent o…
→Why Sumo Referees Are Named Kimura or Shikimori
In the Japan Sumo Association directory checked …
→What Does a Sumo Referee’s Gunbai Actually Do?
The *gunbai* is the rigid fan carried by a sumo …
→How a Gyoji’s Outfit Reveals His Rank: Colors, Tabi and Sandals
Sumo referees do not all wear an identical unifo…
→ABOUT THE CLUB
I'm not an expert. I don't pretend to know, either.
I ask the same questions a new fan might ask, then check the answers against primary sources whenever I can. I keep practical information brief, and spend a little longer on the things that make me curious.