Photos of Sumo - Japan traditional wrestling

Sumo wrestlers fighting during morning practice in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Photographs of

SUMO - Japanese wrestling

Photographs taken in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable during Asa Geiko (morning practice).

Sumo - Japan's national sport - originated 1500 years ago as religious performances to the Shinto gods. According to a Japanese legend, the origin of the Japanese people was determined by the outcome of a sumo match. The Japanese god Takemikazuchi won over the leader of a rival tribe and thus established the Japanese people as the masters of Japan. Sumo matches were originally a ritual aimed at securing better harvests. It was incorporated in the Imperial Court, and developed into a sport in the 17th century.The basic rules of sumo are simple: The wrestler who either first touches the floor with something else than his sole or leaves the ring before his opponent, loses. The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds and in rare cases up to one minute or more.

Other Sumo photos are here.

Photographs by Frantisek Staud

Sumo wrestler stretching during morning practice in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Beaten <br> Sumo wrestlers fighting during morning practice, Tokyo, Japan

Takanosato, former Yokozuna (grand champion), talking to Sumo wrestlers during morning practice <br> Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Takanosato, former Yokozuna (grand champion), watches Sumo wrestlers during morning practice <br> Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Takanosato, former Yokozuna (grand champion), shows his skills to Sumo wrestlers during morning practice <br> Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestlers warming up during morning practice in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestlers warming up before morning practice in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestlers sweeping their ring before morning practice in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestlers sweeping ring before morning practice in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Detail of Sumo traditional wear - mawashi, Japan

Detail of bandaged ankle of a Sumo wrestler, Tokyo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestler wearing mawashi, Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Pavel Bojar, the only Czech in Japanese professional Sumo, fighting in Tokyo stable, Japan

Pavel Bojar, the only Czech in Japanese professional Sumo stable, Japan

Pavel Bojar, the only Czech in Japanese professional Sumo, prepares for a clash in Tokyo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestlers asking for clash during morning practice in a Tokyo professional Sumo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestlers preparing for a clash in Tokyo stable, Japan

Sumo wrestler warming up during morning practice, Tokyo, Japan

Sumo wrestler warming up in front of a mirror during morning practice, Tokyo, Japan

Statue of Sumo wrestlers in Ryogoku district, Tokyo, Japan

Wall decoration with paintings of Sumo wrestlers, Tokyo, Japan

All images are copyrighted by Frantisek Staud
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