Japan‘s annual summer event, the “open sumo stable,” is providing elementary and junior high school students with the opportunity to experience the sport. The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) organizes this event to showcase the positive aspects of sumo wrestling to both children who have been involved in the sport through school clubs and those with no prior experience. The idea for this event was conceived by Kasugano, a former stablemaster and legendary yokozuna Tochinishiki, during his tenure as president of the JSA.
After being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event has made a comeback in 2023 after four years. Children are now participating in four stables while wearing mawashi belts. At Kasugano stable in Tokyo’s Ryogoku district, it has become a tradition for elementary school students from Keio Yochisha Elementary School in Shibuya Ward to take part in this annual event.
Former sekiwake Tochiozan, now known as master Kiyomigata, along with two wrestlers from the stable serve as instructors during the event. They provide guidance on basic sumo training techniques such as “shiko,” which involves rocking side-to-side while raising and stomping each foot alternately, and “suriashi,” which is sliding of feet.
The highlight of the event is a tournament where young participants compete against each other. Additionally, they get an opportunity to experience firsthand just how large actual sumo wrestlers are by crashing into them.
On the final day of the event, participants are treated to chanko stew prepared by members of Kasugano stable. According to officials at the stable, many children go back for seconds or even thirds due to their energetic nature.
While there has been a decline in young people aspiring to become sumo wrestlers recently, this event aims not only at improving children’s physical fitness but also attracting new fans rather than recruiting future wrestlers.
Some of these elementary school students who took part expressed that they now feel inclined towards cheering on professional sumo wrestlers at official tournaments and have even visited Ryogoku Kokugikan arena to witness bouts firsthand.
According to an official from Kasugano stable: “The experience of putting on a mawashi will be a cherished memory from their summer vacation.”
Undoubtedly, these unforgettable experiences will leave a lasting impression on these young participants’ hearts and minds.
— Kamimura is a sumo expert