Sumai

Sumai is a game of wrestling, one that is taken very seriously, and controlled by strict rituals.

Rituals and Traditions
Before bouts take place between two wrestlers (who are also called sumo), there is a period of meditation, as well as purification.

Bouts only take place between two sumo of the same rank.

During the Imperial Winter Court, only sumo of the highest rank are allowed to compete. The bouts take place between two teams of wrestlers that fight seventeen rounds. The winner of this tournament is gifted a masterwork bow and is then invited to perform ritual dancing and singing, called bugaku, while twirling the bow.

Ranks
There are four ranks of Sumo, the lowest of which is the juryo. The next rank up is maehashira, followed by sanyaku. The highest rank is yokozuna.