Sumo Vocabulary: 60+ Sumo Terms and Wrestling Words Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak.

You start watching sumo and immediately hear unfamiliar words:

This beginner-friendly glossary explains more than 60 common sumo wrestling words, organized by situation rather than alphabetical order.

20 Essential Sumo Terms for Beginners

Learn these first. They unlock most of what you see on a basic sumo broadcast.

Words for Sumo Wrestlers and Their Names

Rikishi (力士)

Rikishi is the standard word for a professional sumo wrestler. It is not a rank: a new jonokuchi wrestler and a yokozuna are both rikishi.

Read the complete guide: What Does Rikishi Mean? Sumo Wrestler Ranks Explained

Sumotori (相撲取り)

Sumotori also means a sumo wrestler. It is a straightforward descriptive word: “a person who does sumo.” Rikishi is more common in official profiles and sports explanations.

O-Sumō-San (お相撲さん)

A friendly and respectful everyday way to refer to a sumo wrestler. Japanese children and casual speakers commonly use it.

Shikona (四股名)

A wrestler’s professional sumo name.

この力士の四股名は何ですか。
Kono rikishi no shikona wa nan desu ka?
What is this wrestler’s ring name?

Sekitori (関取)

A salaried, fully recognized wrestler in one of the top two divisions: makuuchi or juryo.

Tsukebito (付け人)

A lower-ranked wrestler assigned to assist a sekitori or senior member. Duties may include carrying belongings, preparing clothing, and helping with daily routines.

Sumo Stable and Training Vocabulary

Heya / Sumō-Beya (部屋 / 相撲部屋)

The stable organization to which a professional wrestler belongs. Rikishi train and traditionally live communally through their heya.

Oyakata (親方)

A retired wrestler who holds elder status and works as a coach or official in the Japan Sumo Association. Not every oyakata is the head of a stable.

Shishō (師匠)

The master or head coach responsible for a stable and its wrestlers.

Deshi (弟子)

A disciple or trainee under a teacher. Rikishi in a stable are the shishō’s deshi.

Keiko (稽古)

Training or practice. Sumo practice is traditionally held in the morning.

Asa-Geiko (朝稽古)

Morning practice.

Degeiko (出稽古)

Visiting another stable for practice.

Shiko (四股)

The exercise in which a wrestler raises one leg high and stamps the ground. It develops balance, flexibility, leg strength, and body control.

Teppō (鉄砲)

A pushing drill performed against a wooden post, called a teppō-bashira.

Suriashi (摺り足)

Sliding-foot movement that keeps the feet close to the ground and builds a stable forward-driving posture.

Butsukari-Geiko (ぶつかり稽古)

A demanding drill in which one wrestler repeatedly drives forward against a partner who receives the impact and provides resistance.

Sumo Rank and Banzuke Vocabulary

Banzuke (番付)

The official ranking sheet published before each Grand Sumo tournament. It shows a wrestler’s division, rank, number, and East or West side.

The Six Divisions

Makuuchi Ranks

Yokozuna (横綱)

The highest rank. The word comes from the special ceremonial rope worn by a yokozuna.

Read the complete guide: What Does Yokozuna Mean in Sumo?

Ōzeki (大関)

The second-highest rank. An ōzeki can be placed in kadoban status after a losing record.

Sanyaku (三役)

A collective term connected with the titled ranks at the top of makuuchi. In a strict historical sense, the “three ranks” are ōzeki, sekiwake, and komusubi; modern sumo discussion often groups yokozuna with the upper titled ranks as well.

Maegashira (前頭)

The rank held by most top-division wrestlers. Maegashira positions are numbered, with smaller numbers ranking higher.

Maezumō (前相撲)

The introductory stage for new recruits before they are listed in the regular jonokuchi division.

Kadoban (角番)

A special danger status for an ōzeki after a losing record. Another losing record in the next tournament normally causes demotion.

Tournament Vocabulary

Basho (場所)

A tournament. In everyday sumo English, people often say “the January basho” or “the Osaka basho.”

Honbasho (本場所)

An official Grand Sumo tournament that affects the banzuke. Six honbasho are held each year, beginning in January, March, May, July, September, and November.

Shonichi (初日)

The first day of a tournament.

Nakabi (中日)

The middle day—Day 8 of a 15-day tournament.

Senshūraku (千秋楽)

The final day of the tournament.

Torikumi (取組)

An individual bout, or the scheduled list of bouts.

Ichiban (一番)

One bout. A major or decisive match may be called an ōichiban (大一番).

Hoshitori (星取)

A record of wins and losses. In traditional notation, a win is represented by a white circle and a loss by a black circle.

Kachi-Koshi (勝ち越し)

More wins than losses. In a 15-bout division, 8–7 is the smallest normal kachi-koshi; in a seven-bout division, 4–3 is the smallest.

Make-Koshi (負け越し)

More losses than wins. This normally leads to a lower position on the next banzuke.

Zenshō (全勝)

Winning every scheduled bout.

Yūshō (優勝)

The championship of a division.

Yūshō Ketteisen (優勝決定戦)

A playoff held when two or more wrestlers finish with the same best record.

Jun-Yūshō (準優勝)

Runner-up performance. The term is commonly used by fans and media, but it is not a separate official trophy equivalent to the yūshō.

Sanshō (三賞)

The three special prizes available to eligible makuuchi wrestlers, generally below ōzeki, who achieve a winning record and meet the prize criteria.

Kinboshi (金星)

A “gold star” earned when a maegashira defeats a yokozuna in an official tournament bout.

Kenshō (懸賞)

Sponsorship money attached to selected makuuchi bouts. Before the bout, attendants carry advertising banners around the dohyō.

Jungyō (巡業)

A regional tour held outside the six official tournaments. It includes practice, demonstrations, ceremonies, and exhibition bouts, but does not determine banzuke promotion and demotion.

Dohyo and Clothing Vocabulary

Dohyō (土俵)

The sumo ring and raised clay platform. The circular professional fighting boundary measures 4.55 meters in diameter.

Read the complete guide: What Does Dohyo Mean? Sumo Ring Rules Explained

Shōbu-Dawara (勝負俵)

The regular straw bales forming the ring boundary.

Toku-Dawara (徳俵)

Four bales set slightly outward at the north, south, east, and west sides of the circle.

Shikiri-Sen (仕切り線)

The two white starting lines near the center of the dohyō.

Mawashi (廻し)

The belt worn for training and competition. It gives the opponent a grip and must be tied securely.

Kesho-Mawashi (化粧まわし)

An ornate ceremonial apron worn by sekitori during the dohyō-iri. It is not worn during the actual bout.

Sagari (下がり)

The cords hanging from the front of the wrestler’s mawashi during a bout.

Chonmage (丁髷)

The traditional topknot worn by professional wrestlers once their hair is long enough.

Ōichō-Mage (大銀杏)

The more elaborate ginkgo-leaf-shaped topknot worn by sekitori for official competition and formal occasions.

Pre-Bout Ritual Vocabulary

Shikiri (仕切り)

The preparation period in which the wrestlers crouch, face each other, return to their corners, and build toward the tachi-ai.

Chikara-Mizu (力水)

“Power water.” A wrestler rinses the mouth before the bout as part of the purification and preparation ritual.

Chikara-Gami (力紙)

“Power paper.” Paper used to wipe the mouth after taking chikara-mizu.

Shio (塩)

Salt thrown onto the dohyō, especially by sekitori, as a purification practice.

Chiri-Chōzu (塵手水)

The hand gesture in which a wrestler claps, opens the arms, and turns the empty palms upward, historically showing that no weapon is carried.

Shikiri-Naoshi (仕切り直し)

Returning to repeat the preparation after the wrestlers do not begin together.

Jikan Ippai (時間いっぱい)

The preparation time has expired. The wrestlers make their final approach to the start.

Matta (待った)

A false start or interruption before a valid tachi-ai.

Matta Nashi (待ったなし)

“No more waiting.” The preparation time is over and the wrestlers must synchronize the start without further delay.

Bout and Referee Vocabulary

Tachi-Ai (立合い)

The explosive initial charge. The wrestlers create the start together by placing their hands down and matching their timing.

Gyōji (行司)

The official on the dohyō. The gyōji directs the preparation, watches the finish, points the gunbai toward the winner, and performs many ceremonial and administrative duties.

Yobidashi (呼出し)

The caller who melodically summons the wrestlers. Yobidashi also help build the dohyō and perform many practical tournament tasks.

Shimpan (審判)

A ringside judge. Five shimpan sit around the dohyō and can call for a review.

Hakkiyoi (はっきよい)

A call urging the wrestlers to engage or resume energetic action.

Nokotta (のこった)

Literally “remained.” It indicates that the bout is still alive and neither wrestler has yet lost.

Read the complete guide: What Does Hakkeyoi Nokotta Mean?

Gunbai (軍配)

The war-fan-shaped object carried by the gyōji and pointed toward the winning side.

Mono-Ii (物言い)

A conference by the ringside judges when the finish or the gyōji’s decision requires review.

Gunbai-Dōri (軍配通り)

The original gyōji decision stands after review.

Gunbai-Sashichigae (軍配差し違え)

The gyōji’s original decision is reversed.

Torinaoshi (取り直し)

A rematch ordered when the result cannot be separated clearly.

Kachi-Nanori (勝ち名乗り)

The formal announcement of the winning wrestler’s shikona.

Grip and Position Vocabulary

Yotsu-Zumō (四つ相撲)

A belt-grappling style of sumo based on close contact and mawashi grips.

Oshi-Zumō (押し相撲)

A pushing style that aims to drive the opponent backward without relying on a belt grip.

Migi-Yotsu (右四つ)

A position in which a wrestler has the right arm inside and the left arm outside.

Hidari-Yotsu (左四つ)

A position in which a wrestler has the left arm inside and the right arm outside.

Gappuri-Yotsu (がっぷり四つ)

A full mutual belt-grip position in which both wrestlers settle into strong yotsu grips.

Sashi-Te (差し手)

An arm inserted inside the opponent’s arm to reach the body or mawashi.

Uwate (上手)

An outside belt grip.

Shitate (下手)

An inside belt grip.

Morozashi (もろ差し)

Having both arms inside the opponent’s arms, often a powerful attacking position.

Nodowa (喉輪)

Using an open hand against the opponent’s throat area to raise the posture and drive backward within the rules.

Tsuppari (突っ張り)

Rapid open-hand thrusts to the opponent’s upper body.

Henka (変化)

A sidestep or evasive change at the tachi-ai. It can be strategically effective but is sometimes criticized when used in an anticipated major bout.

Kimarite: Sumo Winning Techniques

Kimarite is the official technique credited for the win. The Japan Sumo Association recognizes 82 kimarite, plus five non-technique winning results.

Oshidashi (押し出し)

Frontal push-out. The attacker pushes the opponent out without maintaining a mawashi grip. This is one of sumo’s most common results.

Yorikiri (寄り切り)

Frontal force-out. The attacker maintains close contact—often with a belt grip—and drives the opponent out.

Tsukidashi (突き出し)

Frontal thrust-out. Repeated forceful thrusts send the opponent outside.

Oshitaoshi (押し倒し)

Frontal push-down. The opponent falls under a pushing attack rather than simply stepping out.

Yoritaoshi (寄り倒し)

Frontal crush-out. The attacker drives forward in close contact and causes the opponent to fall.

Hatakikomi (叩き込み)

Slap-down. The attacker pulls or strikes downward as the opponent moves forward.

Hikiotoshi (引き落とし)

Hand pull-down. The attacker pulls the opponent forward and down.

Tsukiotoshi (突き落とし)

Thrust-down. The attacker uses one arm against the upper body to send the opponent down or sideways.

Uwatenage (上手投げ)

Overarm throw using an outside mawashi grip.

Shitatenage (下手投げ)

Underarm throw using an inside mawashi grip.

Kotenage (小手投げ)

Armlock throw. The attacker wraps and throws using the opponent’s arm rather than a belt grip.

Okuridashi (送り出し)

Rear push-out. The attacker moves behind the opponent and pushes them out.

Tsuridashi (吊り出し)

Lift-out. The attacker lifts the opponent by the mawashi and carries them outside.

Five Non-Technique Winning Results

Not every win is credited to an attacking kimarite. The official system also includes five hiwaza, or non-technique results.

Ceremony and Culture Vocabulary

Dohyō-Iri (土俵入り)

The ceremonial ring entrance performed by sekitori.

Yokozuna Dohyō-Iri (横綱土俵入り)

The special solo entrance performed by a yokozuna wearing the ceremonial white rope.

Tsuyuharai (露払い)

The attendant who leads the yokozuna during the ceremonial entrance.

Tachimochi (太刀持ち)

The sword bearer who accompanies the yokozuna.

Yumitori-Shiki (弓取式)

The bow-twirling ceremony performed at the end of the day’s makuuchi program.

Dohyō-Matsuri (土俵祭)

The ritual held before a tournament to pray for safety and a successful event.

Chanko (ちゃんこ)

Food prepared and eaten in the sumo-stable environment. The word does not mean only hot pot.

Chanko-Nabe (ちゃんこ鍋)

The well-known nutritious hot-pot dish associated with sumo stables.

Tanimachi (タニマチ)

A patron or supporter who provides backing to a wrestler or stable.

Sumō Jinku (相撲甚句)

A traditional sumo folk song performed in a distinctive unaccompanied style, especially during tours and exhibitions.

Useful Sumo Expressions Heard in Commentary

Maezumo kara no Tatakiage (前相撲からの叩き上げ)

A wrestler who rises through professional sumo from the ordinary entry stage rather than entering with an advanced qualification.

Jibun no Sumō (自分の相撲)

“One’s own sumo”: performing in the style and rhythm that best uses the wrestler’s strengths.

Sumō o Toru (相撲を取る)

Literally “to take/do sumo,” meaning to wrestle a sumo bout.

Mae ni Deru (前に出る)

To move forward. Forward pressure is heavily valued in sumo commentary.

Nokoru (残る)

To remain inside the ring or survive at the edge without losing.

Dohyō-Giwa (土俵際)

The edge of the ring. Figuratively, it can mean the brink or a critical last moment.

Shiroboshi / Kuroboshi (白星 / 黒星)

A white star means a win; a black star means a loss.

Renpai / Renchō (連敗 / 連勝)

Renpai means consecutive losses; renchō means consecutive wins.

Gachi / Gachinko (ガチ / ガチンコ)

A genuine, serious contest rather than a staged or cooperative result. The word has spread far beyond sumo into everyday Japanese.

Words from Sumo Used in Everyday Japanese

Many sumo expressions escaped the ring and became ordinary Japanese metaphors.

Beginner Sumo Commentary: A Sample Bout

Common Beginner Mistakes

Mistake 1: Thinking Rikishi Is a Rank

Rikishi means professional sumo wrestler. Yokozuna, ōzeki, juryo, and makushita describe ranks or divisions.

Mistake 2: Calling Every Wrestler a Sekitori

Only juryo and makuuchi wrestlers are sekitori.

Mistake 3: Treating Yokozuna as a Tournament Champion

Yokozuna is a continuing rank. Yūshō is a championship won at one tournament.

Mistake 4: Thinking Hakkiyoi Means “Go”

The wrestlers create the tachi-ai together. Hakkiyoi urges energy; it is not a universal starting whistle.

Mistake 5: Assuming Every Win Is Oshidashi

A push-out, force-out, slap-down, throw, and accidental step-out have different official names.

Mistake 6: Confusing Chanko with Chanko-Nabe

Chanko is broader stable food; chanko-nabe is the hot pot.

Mistake 7: Calling Every Sumo Event a Honbasho

Honbasho affects the official rankings. Jungyō and exhibition events do not.

Mistake 8: Trying to Learn All 82 Kimarite First

Start with the six or seven most common winning techniques and expand naturally.

FAQ About Sumo Vocabulary

What are the most important sumo terms?

Start with rikishi, banzuke, yokozuna, basho, dohyō, mawashi, gyōji, tachi-ai, kimarite, kachi-koshi, and yūshō.

What is a sumo wrestler called in Japanese?

A professional sumo wrestler is called a rikishi. Sumotori and the friendly expression o-sumō-san can also refer to a wrestler.

What is the highest sumo rank?

Yokozuna is the highest rank, followed by ōzeki, sekiwake, komusubi, and maegashira within the top makuuchi division.

What is the sumo ring called?

It is called the dohyō. The word can refer to the circular fighting area and the full raised clay platform.

What is a sumo belt called?

The wrestling belt is a mawashi. A decorative ceremonial apron worn by sekitori is a kesho-mawashi.

What is a sumo referee called?

The official on the ring is a gyōji. Ringside judges are called shimpan.

What do sumo referees say?

The best-known calls are hakkiyoi, urging energetic action, and nokotta, indicating that the match remains alive.

What is a sumo move called?

An official winning technique is called a kimarite. The Japan Sumo Association recognizes 82 techniques and five non-technique results.

What are the most common sumo winning techniques?

Oshidashi and yorikiri are especially common. Other frequent terms include hatakikomi, tsukiotoshi, yoritaoshi, uwatenage, and hikiotoshi.

What does kachi-koshi mean?

It means finishing a tournament with more wins than losses. It normally leads to promotion on the next banzuke.

What does make-koshi mean?

It means finishing with more losses than wins. It normally leads to demotion.

What is a sumo tournament called?

A tournament is a basho. An official ranking tournament is a honbasho.

What does yūshō mean in sumo?

Yūshō means winning the championship of a tournament division.

What is a sumo stable called?

It is called a sumō-beya, usually shortened to heya.

What is the difference between rikishi and sekitori?

Rikishi includes all professional wrestlers. Sekitori includes only the salaried wrestlers in juryo and makuuchi.

How to Study Sumo Vocabulary

Summary: Sumo Terms Explained

References

• Japan Sumo Association: English introductions to rikishi, dohyō, banzuke, gyōji, sekitori, dohyō-iri, and oyakata.
• Japan Sumo Association: Official rikishi and banzuke search.
• Japan Sumo Association: The six professional sumo divisions.
• Japan Sumo Association: Sekitori and lower-division rikishi trainees.
• Japan Sumo Association: The 82 kimarite and five non-technique results.
• Japan Sumo Association: Kimarite frequency rankings.
• Japan Sumo Association: Grand Tournament schedule.
• Japan Sumo Association: Correct use of hakkiyoi and nokotta.
• Japan Sumo Association: Everyday Japanese expressions originating in sumo.
• Japan Sumo Association: Gachi and gachinko.
• Japan Sumo Association: Tsuyuharai in the yokozuna dohyō-iri.
• Japan Sumo Association: Tanimachi.