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Sumo Terminology Trivia Quiz

The following questions regard the terms and traditions of Sumo wrestling, a fantastic traditional sport of Japan. The quiz will be quite difficult for beginners, but very informative, I hope. Please enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
57,081

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
711

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. A Sumo wrestler's waist-belt is adorned by stiffened silk cords which serve merely as ornamentation. What are these dangling adornments called? Hint

Banzuke

Sekitori

Dohyo

Sagari

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the backless skirt called that Sumo wrestlers wear while not in the ring? Hint

Kakusage

Nihon-sumo-kyokai

Mono-ii

Kesho-mawashi

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Question 3 of 10

3. Sumo wrestlers of the Yokozuna rank (the highest ranking) wear their hair in a style resembling the leaf of what plant? Hint

Perilla

Cherry

Ginko

Lotus

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Question 4 of 10

4. The referee in a Sumo match wears a hat of very distinctive style. What is this hat called? Hint

Matta

Hatsu

Eboshi

Jungyo

5. Performing a mostly ceremonial function, constantly encouraging the Sumo wrestlers to grapple, the referee of a Sumo wrestling match still plays an integral part in the spectacle. What is the Japanese term for this referee? Hint

Natsu

Shiko

Ozeki

Gyoji

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Question 6 of 10

6. The referee holds a ceremonial war fan or paddle which he wields along with his dagger! By what name is the fan referred? Hint

Haru

Tachiai

Kakusage

Gunbai

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Yobidashi also performs an important ceremonial function in a sumo tournament. Yobidashis are responsible for which of the following? Hint

Caring for the wrestlers' diets

Judging the fitness of the wrestlers

Cleaning the wrestling ring

Announcing the contestants

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Question 8 of 10

8. While preparing for a match in the ring, or Dohyo, you will notice Sumo wrestlers tossing a white substance around the ring. What is this substance? Hint

Flour

Chalk

Salt

Rice

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following is the term for a Sumo wrestling tournament? Hint

Dogan

Basho

Eisai

Bento

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following is not a ranking in the top division (Makuuchi) of Sumo wrestling? Hint

Ozeki

Juryo

Maegashira

Sekiwake

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A Sumo wrestler's waist-belt is adorned by stiffened silk cords which serve merely as ornamentation. What are these dangling adornments called?

Answer: Sagari

It is legal for a wrestler to grasp the sagari, but they fall off easily so it's of virtually no use for them to do so. Grabbing the silk waste-belt, called a 'mawashi', is another matter entirely! It's my sincerest hope that we never have to see a mawashi somehow cleanly removed from a wrestler's body during a match!

2. What is the backless skirt called that Sumo wrestlers wear while not in the ring?

Answer: Kesho-mawashi

The mawashi portion remains on as the waste-belt worn during the match.

3. Sumo wrestlers of the Yokozuna rank (the highest ranking) wear their hair in a style resembling the leaf of what plant?

Answer: Ginko

It's hard to describe the shape of the hair...it seems to resemble a small clam. Only two wrestlers currently enjoy this hairstyle...Musashimaru and Takanohana...due to their Yokozuna rankings. The famed Hawaiian wrestler Akebono also wore this hairstyle, but he has sadly retired from the Sumo ranks.

4. The referee in a Sumo match wears a hat of very distinctive style. What is this hat called?

Answer: Eboshi

This headgear is something to behold, very elaborate...and difficult to explain. The cap is of Chinese style and translates as 'Raven-cap' in English.

Answer: Gyoji

6. The referee holds a ceremonial war fan or paddle which he wields along with his dagger! By what name is the fan referred?

Answer: Gunbai

The gunbei once held a more specific function...used to lead troops into battle...but today its use is benign. Aesthetics are of extreme concern in Sumo wrestling, but the action is very real...no WWF action here!

7. The Yobidashi also performs an important ceremonial function in a sumo tournament. Yobidashis are responsible for which of the following?

Answer: Announcing the contestants

The Yobidashi's stentorian shouts are critical for audience arousal, as the waits between bouts traditionally could last for an hour or more! Now the wait is normally much shorter, perhaps 15 minutes or so...in the modern world we don't like to wait!

8. While preparing for a match in the ring, or Dohyo, you will notice Sumo wrestlers tossing a white substance around the ring. What is this substance?

Answer: Salt

The salt is tossed for luck...it's a ring purification ceremony. Salt was once a much more expensive commodity, so it was considered a sacrifice to toss the substance into the ring, giving us an idea of how important Sumo is to the Japanese. One source suggests that during an average Sumo Basho 90-100 pounds of salt may be tossed per day!

9. Which of the following is the term for a Sumo wrestling tournament?

Answer: Basho

It may be a tough go if you wish to purchase tickets for a Basho involving the top ranks, or Makuuchi, as Sumo is the national sport of Japan! Incidentally, in a totally unrelated piece of trivia, the poet Basho is considered by many to have been the greatest writer of the traditional Japanese poetry form Haiku!

10. Which of the following is not a ranking in the top division (Makuuchi) of Sumo wrestling?

Answer: Juryo

The rankings of Makuuchi include: Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi and Maegashira. The Juryo division lies just below the Makuuchi.

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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