An ancient Japanese contact sport, Sumo wrestling received Imperial patronage and today is still heavily based on 1500 year Shinto religion and ritual.

 Sumo wrestling is not only the oldest of Japan’s various martial arts, it also evolved into the most distinct and ritualistic, to this day still heavily centred around the Shinto religion. When the sport was first introduced 1500 years ago it was performed mostly to ensure good harvests. Sumo’s popularity quickly spread, becoming a more public and widespread event. Matches were usually brutal, the loser often expected to forfeit his life. By the 7th century Sumo had fallen under the protection of the warring Shogunite regime and was largely banned as a public spectacle. Only the samurai, or warrior class, were allowed to practice it as part of their military training. Once peace was finally restored Sumo once again fell under the patronage of the Japanese royal courts and was dubbed the Imperial sport. By the 15th century Sumo wrestling had adopted a set of strict rules and the most talented champions were offered patronage by powerful feudal lords. In the early 1700′s “banzuke” or ranking lists, were established, a system which is still strictly adhered to today.

 There are some Instructions about how to Watch Sumo Wrestling:

 Step 1:
Study the classifications for sumo wrestlers. The best wrestlers belong to the makuuchi division, with juryo wrestlers next in line. Most wrestlers belong to the makushita, sandanme and jonidan divisions, and try to work their way up to the coveted makuuchi ranking. The lowest ranked rikishi (the generic term for wrestler) start out in the jonokuchi division.
 Step 2:
Glance at the pre-bout ritual. Sumo wrestling tradition starts even before the bout begins, as fighters enter the ring in an elaborate ceremony. They will rinse out their mouths with water, dry their lips then squat and clap to show that they aren’t carrying weapons.
 Step 3:
Watch a sumo tournament. Japanese sumo wrestling competitions are fifteen days long and every wrestler participates in one bout a day. The wrestler with the best record at the end of the tournament wins the Emperor’s Cup.
 Step 4:
Choose to root for the best wrestlers. The highest ranked wrestlers, called yokozuna, wrestle at night during tournaments. Yokozuna attain their grand master status after winning two tournaments in a row.
 Step 5:
Enjoy the actual bout, with each bout normally lasting one to four minutes. The opponents will stare at each other, then jump up and began wrestling. If a wrestler’s body touches the mat with anything other than the soles of his feet, he loses the bout.
 Step 6:
Protest when the referee makes a bad call. Learn to throw red cushions at the ref when he makes an error in judgment, like all loyal Sumo fans.

Watch the video related to sumo

In Sumo wrestling, bigger is better. See All National Geographic Videos video.nationalgeographic.com

Help answer the question about sumo

What's the average salary for a sumo wrestler, and how does one become a sumo wrestler?
If this career pays well, I will consider sumo wrestling as a side career. However, I am thin and athletic which perhaps will not meet the requirements for becoming a sumo wrestler. Could I still become a sumo wrestler if I duct tape several pillows around myself?