TOKYO—In the company of giants.
Happening only twice a year, I was finally in Tokyo in the right month for a sumo event.
Sumo, recognized as Japan’s national sport, has gained widespread popularity both within the country and globally. Local residents and international tourists eagerly flock to witness the mesmerizing displays of professional sumo wrestlers, leading to swift ticket sales for tournaments.
The roots of sumo can be traced back approximately 1,500 years when it served as a ritualistic practice to forecast the year’s harvest. Over time, it evolved into a revered ceremony embraced by nobles and aristocrats at the imperial court, eventually capturing the fascination of the general public during the Edo Period in the 17th century.