Re: Dohyo

[abe@kaleida.com (Masumi Abe)]

Seelye:

I think the original reason of the elevated dohyo is for audiences to see
sumo matches easily, just like the same reason for the elevated stages for
boxing matches, wrestling matches, theatrical plays or music performances
in the open flat space. Sumo was performed in open outdoor space in old
days.

You might think it is more dangerous to do sumo on the elevated dohyo, but
the actuality is not. I don't believe any of sumo-beya has an elevated
dohyo for practice and rikishi prefer sumo on elevated dohyo than flat
dohyo. Rikishi do not do sumo at practice the same way they sumo on the
elevated dohyo to avoid injuries. Musashimaru's sumo against Takanohana was
the way rikishi practice back at their heya. They don't practice Utchari,
Oshitaoshi, Yoritaoshi or Tsukitaoshi. They don't have anyway to role over
with their huge body on the flat surface.

The elevated dohyo make them a lot easier for rikishi to role to avoid
injuries than hit the flat surface of dohyo.

I think it is very logical to keep the elevated dohyo even in the indoor
auditorium-like setting of contemporary sumo.

-Masumi

>Abe-san or anyone else, is there any religious or historical reason why
>the dohyo has to be elevated?  I have seen several rikishi injure
>themselves in falling off the dohyo, ie Wakanohana, Mitoi, Tomonohana, and
>it would seem that if the dohyo was level with the floor, that we would
>have fewer injuries and more exciting sumo.
>regards, seelye martin

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Masumi Abe                                      Tel: (415) 966-0824
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