Shikiri
仕切り
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.
Quick Facts
Term typeCompetition, rules and scoring
LanguageJapanese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[shee-kee-ree]
Alternative Namespreparation for the start
Readings and romanizations
Reading (kana)しきり
Hepburn romanizationshikiri
Word breakdown
仕切りshikiriseparation, preparation (verb shikiru)
Definition
Shikiri (仕切り) is the phase before a sumo bout begins. The wrestlers face each other behind the shikiri-sen lines, crouch, stare into each other's eyes and rise again. Between repetitions they throw a handful of salt onto the dohyo, which is meant to purify the ring according to Shinto tradition. Shikiri has a time limit depending on the division, in the top division makuuchi it is four minutes. The wrestlers may charge earlier if both agree. Shikiri often lasts longer than the bout itself, which is decided within a few seconds.