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The story of sumo goes back centuries.
It is not out of the ordinary to see ‘rikishi' walking in the vicinity of their ‘beya' sporting ‘mawashi' post workout.This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please readour disclosurefor more info.
As Japan has surged forward into modernity, this corner of culture has remained anchored to ancient tradition.
Sumo is an entity in which history, culture, pride and athleticism combine.
While matches attract large crowds these days, what goes on behind the scenes is more guarded.
Even though ‘rikishi' have a fierce demeanour when performing, they are seen by the public as gentle giants and may display an affectionate side.
Those who dedicate themselves to the sport give not only their body but their lives.
They give themselves as a relic, an offering to the past masters and gods.
Rikishi are not just wrestlers, they are the antiquated, traditional Japanese gentlemen.
Fans fill the Kokugikan Stadium to capacity in order to honour Kyokutenhō during his ‘danpatsushiki.' The next generation looks up in awe at one of the all time favourites.
A century after the last samurai, their cousins live on, declares Lord K2.
Sumois published byAmmonite Press.
Photographer Lord K2 was granted unprecedented access to capture the more secretive side of sumo.
Lower ranked ‘rikishi' return to their ‘beya' by train after competing in a tournament.
His compelling images now are part ofSumo, a new photography book published by Ammonite Press.
Fans fill the Kokugikan Stadium to capacity to get to honour Kyokutenho during his danpatsushiki.'
The next generation looks up in awe at one of the all time favourites.
A ‘rikishi' struggles to his feet during a ‘butsukari-geiko' session. Wrestlers regularly push each other to their limits of physical endurance in training sessions in order to become formidable warriors.
Sumo is an entity in which history, culture, pride and athleticism combine, explains Lord K2.
Lower ranked rikishi' return to their beya' by train after competing in a tournament.
A rikishi' struggles to his feet during a butsukari-geiko' session.
‘Rikishi' at the Kise ‘beya' go through a final drill to wrap up training.
Rikishi' at the Kise beya' go through a final drill to wrap up training.
Okinoumi Ayumi entertains his fellow wrestlers outside Hakkaku beya' in Ryogoku.
Wrestlers perform shikiri-naoshi' before the bout commences.
Okinoumi Ayumi entertains his fellow wrestlers outside Hakkaku ‘beya' in Ryogoku. Even though sumo wrestlers take their careers very seriously, outside of work they are often playful and relatively approachable.
Rikishi' sit patiently outside their beya' on a hot summers day as they await breakfast after training.
Watch the book trailer below.
Wrestlers perform ‘shikiri-naoshi' before the bout commences.
A rikishi collapses with exhaustion during a ‘butsukarigeiko' session with Georgian wrestler Gagamaru Masaru at the Kise ‘beya.'
‘Rikishi' sit patiently outside their ‘beya' on a hot summer’s day as they await breakfast after training.
‘Sumo' by Lord K2, Ammonite Press, RRP £20/ $29.95, available now in the UK and globally from March 2023.
