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 49–60 of 60 articles
Salt, ceremonial aprons, the referee’s voice: start with something that made you wonder.
How Big Is Sumo’s Emperor’s Cup? Follow the 80 Silver Nameplates
The Emperor’s Cup, or *Tenno Shihai*, is the sil…
→The hidden drain in a sumo ring: where does the rinsing water go?
After a wrestler rinses his mouth with the water…
→How are a sumo ring’s straw bales made? Yobidashi, glass bottles and twenty pieces
A Japan Sumo Association explainer published on …
→Why Does Sumo’s Roof Float? Shinmei-zukuri Above the Dohyo
The structure suspended above a professional sum…
→What Is Dohyo-matsuri? The Six Offerings Beneath a Sumo Ring
Dohyo-matsuri is a ceremony held on the day befo…
→What Is the Janome Sand Around a Sumo Ring? Watch the Footprints
Janome is the carefully prepared strip of sand i…
→East in a Sumo Arena Is Not Necessarily East on a Map
“East” at a sumo ring does not have to point tow…
→How Big Is a Sumo Ring? Inside the 4.55-Metre Dohyo
The circular fighting area in professional sumo …
→Chonmage vs Oicho: Reading Sumo Rank in a Wrestler’s Hair
The *chonmage* is the compact topknot seen on lo…
→Chiri-chozu: Why Sumo Wrestlers Open and Turn Their Hands
Chiri-chozu is the complete pre-bout gesture in …
→Chikara-mizu and the White Paper: Sumo’s Quiet Handover
The water used beside the dohyo is commonly call…
→Why Is the Writing on a Sumo Banzuke So Bold?
An Association explainer published on 18 March 2…
→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.