Women's Sumo in Japan

[Mark Buckton 1]

http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20040503p2a00m0dm009000c.html

Some ladies ain't givin up - even if Ota is weak kneed.

[Takanobaka 0]

Hmmmmm.....if the 'Yokozuna" of woman's sumo is 61 now, wouldn't that have made her apporoximately 3 years old when this was going on???

[Sasanishiki 57]

Actually there is quite a tradition of women participating in sumo, right up until the present. During the Meiji period there were still a few groups that would travel the country performing sumo by women and feats of strength. In certain local festivals women perform sumo or wear kesho mawashi. There have even been festivals and competitions invented in the postwar that have women involved. One in Hokkaido (finished last year I think) was set up for the purpose of bringing in tourists, both as particpants and spectators. If there is any interest I can dig up some information I have.

ANR, thanks for posting this. I am always interested in this type of information or anyhting on shinzumo, the amateur sumo performed by women. If you spot anything can you post it to the list (or amasumo thread, if it is shinzumo) or send it off list?

Thanks

[hoshidango 0]

Cool. If Judo or wrestling has one, why not sumo eh?