Banzuke

yobidashi

A ring attendant who calls the wrestlers up and builds the ring.

Yobidashi are the ring attendants. They call each wrestler into the ring with a sing-song chant, a tradition NHK says is over 200 years old. They also sweep the ring, and before every tournament they build a fresh one, which takes them three days.

dohyō
The ring: a raised platform of packed clay.
gyōji
The referee, who gives the first decision on every bout.
tawara
The straw bales that mark the edge of the ring.

Sources

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