Sumo: The History & Rules of Japan's National Sport ...
Sumo must be unique in that the pre-match ceremony and pageantry can be just as fascinating as the bout itself. The day before each major tournament the dohyo—the 4.55 metre diameter clay platform housing the ring in which the bout takes place—is "cleansed" to pray for the safety of the rikishi.This involves placing salt, cleansed rice, dried chestnut, dried kelp, dried cuttlefish, and ...
