Sumo wrestling is one of Japan’s most ancient and revered traditions, but it is also facing a crisis of relevance and reputation in the 21st century. The sport, which is based on the Shinto religion and has strict rules and rituals, has been plagued by scandals and controversies, such as match-fixing, violence, hazing, and lack of diversity. But perhaps the most contentious issue is the exclusion of women from the sumo ring, which is considered sacred and only for men.
This tradition was challenged in 2018, when two women who tried to help a man who collapsed in a sumo ring were asked to leave by a referee. The man was Ryozo Tatami, the mayor of Maizuru city, who was giving a speech at a sumo event. The women were nurses who rushed to perform CPR on him. The referee’s announcement, which was broadcast live on TV, sparked outrage and criticism from the public and the media. Many people saw it as a blatant example of sexism and discrimination in sumo.
The head of the sumo association, Hakkaku, apologized for the inappropriate response and thanked the women for their actions, but did not address the issue of gender discrimination in sumo. He said that “sumo is not just a sport. It’s a living example of Japanese culture”. He also defended the tradition of banning women from the ring, saying that it was based on the Shinto belief that women are impure and would pollute the ring.
However, not everyone agrees with this explanation. Some experts say that the ban on women is not an ancient or religious rule, but a social and political one that emerged in the 19th century, when Japan was modernizing and westernizing. They argue that women used to play an active role in sumo, as wrestlers, referees, and ritual performers, until they were excluded by the male-dominated society.
Some people also question the relevance and validity of this tradition in today’s world, where women are expected to have equal rights and opportunities as men. They point out that sumo is losing its popularity and appeal among younger generations, who are more exposed to global influences and values. They suggest that sumo should adapt to the changing times and embrace diversity and inclusion.
One of them is Takanohana, a former sumo champion who tried to reform the sport. He said that “we have to think about what sumo is going to look like in 10 or 20 years. We can’t just keep saying it’s all about tradition”. He also proposed to have female wrestlers and mixed-gender matches in sumo.
However, not everyone supports this idea. Some people say that sumo should preserve its tradition and identity, regardless of external pressures and opinions. They say that sumo is a unique and sacred sport that should not be diluted or corrupted by modern trends. They also argue that women have their own role in sumo, which is to support it from outside of the ring.
One of them is Konoshin Kawabata, a sumo fan who supports the ban on women. He said that “women have their own role. They support sumo from outside of the ring”. He also said that he respects women’s rights, but he does not want them to enter the ring.
The debate over women’s role in sumo is likely to continue, especially as the sport prepares to host an exhibition event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 (now postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19), where it will be exposed to a global audience and scrutiny. The question is whether sumo will be able to balance its tradition and modernity, and whether it will be able to attract new fans and followers without alienating its old ones.
Relevant articles:
– Japanese women ordered from sumo ring during first aid, BBC News, 5 April 2018
– Sumo wrestling: The growing sexism problem in Japan’s traditional sport, BBC News, 27 April 2018
– Japan’s Sacred Sumo and the Exclusion of Women: The Olympic Male Sumo Challenge, Religions, 10 September 2021
– Sumo wrestling: Women barred from entering ring to help mayor who collapsed, Sky News, 5 April 2018