The Sumo Tournament

If you attend a sumo wrestling match in Japan, don't be surprised to find Rishiki (the fighters) warming up right next to your seat. Sumo isn’t just a sport—it’s ceremony, culture, hero worship and national pride. Its roots stretch back over a thousand years, intertwined with Shinto religious practices. Even today, the ceremonial elements remain central: the tossing of salt to purify the ring, the stomping to chase away evil spirits, and the choreographed rituals that precede every bout.