#SUMO WRESTLER COSTUME CODE#

So, the mawashi is the only garment allowed during a tournament. No, the rikishi do not wear anything beneath the mawashi because, for one, it is prohibited.Īlso, the mawashi is a historic attire, and wearing something under beats its significance. Do Sumo Wrestlers Wear Anything Beneath the Mawashi? The rikishi are highly respected in Japanese circles. They also set the rikishi apart from the other people. Thus, sumo wrestlers wear mawashi to prove to the gods that they are not cheating since they cannot hide weapons or commit fraud.Īpart from Culture – Mawashi indicate the rank of sumo wrestlers.

Sumo is associated with rituals in Shintoism that involve showing gratitude to gods and goddesses.

#SUMO WRESTLER COSTUME CODE#

The dress code for sumo wrestling is ingrained in Japanese culture and history, so the mawashi has been maintained to honor culture. So, you may wonder why sumo wrestlers would not switch into something more modern and a little less revealing. Mawashi is such a minimalistic mode of dressing that leaves very little to the imagination.Įssentially, it only covers the wrestlers’ genitals. Also referred to as the sagari by the Japanese, the fronds mark the parts of the mawashi that wrestlers should not grab onto while fighting, like the groin. Keep In Mind: The fronds are in odd numbers between 13 and 25. Some of the mawashi worn by sekitori wrestlers have silk fronds the same color as the mawashi, inserted in the front. Often, a kesho-mawashi is used for advertising brands or, in the case of foreign rikishi, showcase their country’s flag. It is worn by the most accomplished or popular wrestlers during the ring entry ceremony. This type consists of a large apron with thick, colorful embroider and tassels at the bottom. Upper ranked rikishi also put on a version of mawashi known as the kesho-mawashi. Wrestlers of the higher division tuck the front end of their mawashi at the top of their white belt to create a toilet-paper roll shape. Instead of cotton, their mawashi is made with the more prestigious silk material. The sekitori wear white mawashi during tournaments. Others wear mawashi of the color theme of their training schools.Īlso, you can recognize a makushita from the way they fold the front end of their mawashi- they tuck it below the belt to form a triangular shape. The lower-ranking sumo wrestlers wear black cotton mawashi during tournaments.

While this never used to be the norm, the rule became applicable when Japan adopted the European view on nudity in games. The way a wrestler puts on his mawashi could determine whether he wins or loses the tournament.Īccording to the Japanese Sumo Association: If a wrestler’s mawashi comes off during a wrestling match, he is automatically disqualified. Thus, a wrestler could wear his mawashi tightly, loosely, or make it wet. Īt times, the rikishi wears their mawashi in a way to have the upper hand against their opponent. It is worn by wrapping it several times around a wrestler and fastening it in the back with a knot. Venture into the exquisite world of the Japan Objects Store, our esteemed partner renowned for an unparalleled collection of men’s clothing, kimonos, shoes, and accessories.Ī standard mawashi is approximately 9 meters long when unwrapped, 0.6 meters wide, and about 5 kilograms heavy. It is the official garment worn by the rikishi during sumo training sessions and official tournaments.Ī mawashi is a loincloth designed with a belt and handles that wrestling opponents can grab and tackle each other. In Case You Missed It What Is a Mawashi?.Do Sumo Wrestlers Wear Anything Beneath the Mawashi?.

Sumo wrestler costume