Secrets of the sumo ring: Behind-the-scenes rituals that support the wrestlersliterallyVideo

A fascinating look at how the mound is newly built before every tournament. 

In Japan, the sumo community is currently preparing for the September tournament, scheduled to be held at Tokyo’s Kokugikan from 8-22 September. A lot has to be done in the lead-up to the event, and one of the most important jobs is also one that many spectators may not even be aware of — the building of the dohyo, or sumo mound.

While the sumo mound might look like a permanent structure, it’s actually newly built ahead of every tournament. And that’s not the only surprising revelation, as the people who build the dohyo are the “yobidashi”, or ring announcers who are usually seen in traditional attire, with fan in hand, calling the sumo wrestlers into the ring before their bout.

The building of the sumo mound recently became a hot topic online when the Japan Sumo Association shared a …