Dohyo
土俵
The sumo ring: a raised platform of packed clay with a circle 4.55 m in diameter, marked out by straw bags called tawara.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Dohyo (土俵) literally means “bags of earth”. It is a raised square platform of packed clay with a circle 4.55 m in diameter in the middle. The edge of the circle is made of half-buried straw bags called tawara. A bout is lost by whoever first touches the ground with anything but the soles of the feet, or steps out of the circle. The dohyo is built anew before every tournament and consecrated by a Shinto ceremony, during which offerings are placed in the center. A roof in the shape of a Shinto shrine hangs above it. According to tradition, women are forbidden to enter the dohyo, which is a subject of dispute in Japan.
Relations to other terms
See also
Pre-bout preparation of sumo wrestlers. They repeatedly face each other in a crouch, stare into each other's eyes and throw salt until time runs out.
Yokozuna横綱The highest rank in professional sumo. A yokozuna cannot be demoted, but is expected to retire after weak results.
Mawashi廻しThe belt that is the only garment of a sumo wrestler. It is wrapped around the waist and between the legs, and the opponent may grab it.