History of Sumo

[Kintamayama 47,158]

I just happened upon an interesting site, which is dedicated to the history of Sumo. It looks like some graduate work by a student, but ,to me at least, was very informative and educational. The question is, how accurate is it? It is quite elaborate and seems accurate, but can anyone verify?

Since I have no idea about this stuff, I was quite intrigued by the stories.

--

http://rubens.anu.edu.au/student.projects9...ry/history.html

[Doitsuyama 1,259]

I don't know too much about this stuff either, but at least nothing on the site contradicted my knowledge so it seems to be accurate enough to me.

I found it pretty interesting that Sumō apparently had an immensely popular period during the Tanikaze/Raiden era around 1800 and falling in a deep lull after the retirement of Raiden. Raiden probably would have been excellent in current times too, just imagine 197 cm, 170 kg and only losing 10 bouts in 21 years. He must have been a real freak back then. You can see similar surges in popularity while Futabayama and Taihō where around.

My conclusion from this history lesson is that Sumō's fall in popularity we are seeing now has little to do with Sumō or society, but more so with the lack of rikishi like Takanohana or Wakanohana who drive the masses.

Edited July 29, 2003 by Doitsuyama

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

I just happened upon an interesting site, which is dedicated to the history of Sumo. It looks like some graduate work by a student, but ,to me at least, was very informative and educational. The question is, how accurate is it? It is quite elaborate and seems accurate, but can anyone verify?

Since I have no idea about this stuff, I was quite intrigued by the stories.

--

http://rubens.anu.edu.au/student.projects9...ry/history.html

It seems mainly based on Patricia Cuyler

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Interesting URL, and very educational for me -- thanks ;-)

[Mikiro 0]

--

I saw no mention about when the gyoji