Sumo FAQ Project

[sumonow@ibm.net (Sumo Now!)]

Just when you thought you could relax and play "Guess the Banzuke" until
May, I'm going to annoy you all with a Sumo FAQ project. I've decided to
produce a document for use on the SumoWeb, as well as for the Usenet news
if appropriate. Since it is wise not to duplicate effort, I ask humbly for
the permission from those of you who have educated me about sumo to allow
your writings to be incorporated in this document. I want to credit
everyone, but off the top of my head I can mention Abe-san, r.l. webb,
david riley, mina hall, shari and tito poza, Achim Pawelczyk, steve
allanson, and Richard A. Magahiz. My goal will be to reorganize and edit a
document that will be both enjoyable and complete. Please inform me if you
DO NOT want to contribute to this effort. Below is my working table of
contents; please send me comments on any aspect of this project.

thank you,
 - Ken Coller
 - - - - - - - - - -

Frequently Asked Questions List for Professional Sumo (Ozumo) in Japan: Sumo FAQ

Table of Contents:

0.      About this FAQ
1.      Overview of Sumo
1.1     Dictionary of basic terms
2.      History
2.1     Origins and ancient sumo
2.2     Sumo in pre-modern Japan
2.3     The Modern Sumo Kyokai
3.      The Heya System
3.1     Toshiyori-kabu
3.2     Life in a Sumobeya
4.      Professional rankings: The Banzuke
4.1     Yokozuna and Ozeki
4.2     Makunouchi Division
4.3     Juryo
4.4     All the Lower Ranks
4.5     Salaries
4.6     Physical Characteristics of rikishi
5.      Torikumi
5.1     Venues
5.1.1   Sites
5.1.2   The Dohyo
5.2     Hon-basho
5.3     Jungyo
5.4     The Schedule Makers
6.      Winning and Losing
6.1     Attaining Kachi-koshi
6.2     The playoff system
6.3     Public Injury Rule
7.      Kimarite
7.1     Overview of Frequent Techniques
7.2     Fighting Techniques
7.3     Exceptions and Illegal Tactics
7.4     "The 48 Hands"
8.      More Information
8.1     Books in English
8.2     Sumo World Magazine
8.3     Internet Sumo Information
8.4     Crib Notes for Enjoying Sumo
8.4.1   Old Timers and Coaches
8.4.2   Current favorites and contenders
8.4.3   Fan Chatter: How to sound like an expert
9.      Reference
9.1     Current Sekitori and statistics
9.2     Recent Yusho Winners
9.3     Glossary
9.4     Contributors to this FAQ