Kasutera 258 Posted March 21, 2015 Apologies if this has been addressed/explained in another topic, but I'm curious what the actual purpose is when a sumo wrestler wears tabi over their feet, often times only just one. I've seen this a lot of in both ozumo, and former pros in amateur sumo tournaments (I saw the former Wakanoho wearing one at the US Sumo Open), and I thought maybe it was to support injured joints, but then again I've also seen people just tape up their ankles without the tabi. Is it to prevent stubbed toes? Is there a guideline about what rikishi can or can't wear on their feet? One of those small-level questions I hope to learn about so I don't sound like just a sumo dilletante anymore :-P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 6,396 Posted March 21, 2015 What I've heard is to prevent sore spots from infection. But I wonder as well about rikishi like Kyokutenho wearing this thing constantly over the years, always on just one foot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monnodo 60 Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) What I've heard is to prevent sore spots from infection. But I wonder as well about rikishi like Kyokutenho wearing this thing constantly over the years, always on just one foot. Maybe deep down in his heart, he is just a rebel B-) Edited March 22, 2015 by Monnodo 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Landmine950 44 Posted March 22, 2015 The dohyo is very hard almost like rough concrete with some sand on top and is very abrasive. Brodi has super tough and heavily calloused feet. Here the entire callous from the ball of his foot has ripped off even after it had been taped. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kasutera 258 Posted March 22, 2015 AHHHHH JESUS I GET IT NOW OKAY I GET IT! Very happy I was not eating anything when I saw that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orion 431 Posted March 22, 2015 What I've heard is to prevent sore spots from infection. But I wonder as well about rikishi like Kyokutenho wearing this thing constantly over the years, always on just one foot. As usual, it's decided by rank. Only the men at the very top can wear tabi on both feet (I think it's yokozuna and ozeki, but I don't have time to look up the long-ago interview in Tokitsukaze-beya where one of the two sekitori interviewees explained this to a visiting group of foreign journalists. Orion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
