Re: Women forbidden on the dohyo?

[abe@kaleida.com (Masumi Abe)]

>Tommy Crouch wrote:

>Anyway, in this movie, they also mention that women are forbidden
>not only from competing in Sumo, but also from actually setting foot
>on the dohyo at anytime.  Can someone please verify this?  And I'm
>curious if any official reason is given for this rule.

I believe it's true. Every time, when dohyo is made, it is purified by
Gyoji or Kannushi, a Shinto priest. After that, the dohyo is considered
"sanctuary" and prohibiting the participation and services by any female.
It is similar to many other traditional religions of both West and East. 

On the other hand, if you remember the wedding ceremony of Crown Prince,
all the servers were females, there. That is because Emperor and Crown
Prince are considered priests in the Shinto Ceremonies in Royal Palace.

In the occasion of "dohyo-biraki" ceremony right before the each basho,
tate-gyoji, the head of gyoji radder will serve as a Shinto priest. There
is a sumo shrine in somewhere in Kyushu and the priest family who is in
charge of managing the tradition is Yoshida Tsukasa-Ke, or Yoshida family
of priest. Traditionally, Yoshida Tsukasa-Ke is in charge of licensing the
rights to both gyoji and rikishi, particularly yokozuna. I think it's after
the WW-II, Sumo Kyokai started controling the dicision of who becomes
yokozuna and gyoji. Before then, it was up to Yosha Tsukasa-Ke for final
dicision. It is the relationship similar to that of between Emperor and
Prime Minister in Japan. Sumo Kyokai handle practically everything but Sumo
Kyokai still needs the traditional authority of Yoshida Tsukasa-Ke.

There used to be female sumo performance attractions before the WW-II and
in country side. They were officially banned by legislatures all over
Japan. They were considered obscenity. It was a circus-like attraction at
the local festivals. It still continues legally in country side with skin
colored shirts and pants on under mawashi.

I saw a women's sumo tornament for a prize in Hokkaido was telecasted
during Japanese news hour here in US, about a month ago. I thought they
were wearing a belt over regular shirts and shorts or sweatsuits. They were
having a good time.

-Masumi

>
>Don't worry.  I'm not trying to claim sumo is sexist.  Tommy's 
>posting made me think of the movie, and so I'm curious how accurate
>the movie was.  Thanks.
>
>Jim
>
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>  /\   Jim Maertens
> _\/_  Mitsubishi Semiconductor America, Inc.      maertens@msai.com
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