hōnō-zumō 奉納相撲
Sumo performed at a shrine as an offering.
What hōnō-zumō means
Hōnō-zumō is sumo performed at a shrine as an offering. That's how sumo began: early bouts were offerings to the gods, with prayers for a good harvest. Shrine events still happen, such as a yokozuna ring-entering ceremony at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine as part of the New Year celebrations.
We haven't yet checked this kanji against the Japan Sumo Association's own pages.
Related words
- dohyō-iri土俵入り
- The ring-entering ceremony before the top-division bouts.
- dohyō matsuri土俵祭
- The Shinto ceremony that blesses the ring before a tournament.