Japan Sumo Association 100th Anniversary Exhibition 日本相撲協会設立百周年記念展
|
|
|
As part of the Japan Sumo Association's celebration of its 100th anniversary of its founding, it held a large exhibition of yokozuna kesho-mawashi ceremonial aprons and tsuna rope belts. Most items were from the Sumo Museum's collection. The exhibition was held on December 24 and 25, 2025 at Kokugikan Sumo Arena in Ryogoku, Tokyo. Free admission.
|
|
Entrance to Kokugikan.
|
|
100th anniversary exhibition signboard.
|
|
Kokugikan entrance hall. Go straight and turn right. The exhibition room was downstairs in the banquet room (Ohiroma).
|
|
Exhibition entrance.
|
|
Message from the sumo association.
|
|
A set of three kesho-mawashi aprons for many yokozuna were displayed. Very beautiful and impressive collection even from the 19th century.
|
|
Front and center were the aprons for the current yokozuna, Onosato and Hoshoryu. This set is for Onosato. The aprons are usually made and donated by a company, supporter's group, or other organization.
|
|
A yokozuna uses a matching set of three kesho-mawashi aprons for his dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony. He wears the middle one, while his sword bearer and dew sweeper wears another in the same set.
|
|
Yokozuna dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony by Akebono at his retirement ceremony at the Kokugikan in 2001. Yokozuna Musashimaru is the sword bearer on the left, and Ozeki Musoyama is the dew sweeper on the right.
|
|
Onosato's aprons has silver and gold phoenix.
|
|
Onosato
|
|
Onosato
|
|
Onosato
|
|
About Onosato
|
|
Next to Onosato was Hoshoryu's aprons.
|
|
Hoshoryu's aprons showed Shikoku scenery.
|
|
|
Naruto whirlpool
|
|
|
About Hoshoryu, from Mongolia.
|
|
|
Hokutoumi, who is the current Sumo Association Chairman.
|
|
About Hokutoumi
|
|
Akebono from Hawaii, and the first non-Japanese yokozuna.
|
|
Akebono's aprons are based on a Japanese proverb about excellence. 一富士二鷹三茄子
|
|
About Akebono
|
|
Musashimaru
|
|
Musashimaru from Hawaii. The image theme left to right is "Ocean Light," Brilliance," and "Wave Sounds" (海光・光輝・波響). Artist was Senju Hiroshi (千住博).When current Yokozuna Hoshoryu was promoted, he borrowed this set of aprons to perform his dohyo-iri at Meiji Shrine.
|
|
About Musashimaru
|
|
Takanosato
|
|
Futahaguro is from Mie Prefecture, hence the Mie scenery.
|
|
Futahaguro - Futamigaura Wedded Rocks in Mie.
|
|
Futahaguro - Futamigaura Wedded Rocks in Mie.
|
|
Futahaguro - Ise Jingu shrine in Mie.
|
|
Wakanohana II, Nagoya Castle with golden shachi.
|
|
Musashiyama
|
|
Musashiyama, Mt. Fuji and a castle.
|
|
Musashiyama, Mt. Fuji and a castle.
|
|
Asahifuji, things from his native Aomori. Scallops, Mt. Iwaki-san, and apples.
|
|
Kakuryu
|
|
Kakuryu means crane and dragon, hence the apron design.
|
|
Kitanoumi, one of the greatest yokozuna of all time.
|
|
Kitanoumi
|
|
Kitanoumi with faded edges.
|
|
About Kitanoumi
|
|
Tochinoumi
|
|
Tochinoumi
|
|
Tochinoumi - Dragon is a popular design element.
|
|
Tochinoumi - Waves/ocean is a popular design element.
|
|
Asashio, sumi ink painting of a dragon.
|
|
Asashio - Dragon in sumi ink.
|
|
About Asashio
|
|
Kitanofuji, his post-wrestler career as a stablemaster and TV commentator was well noted.
|
|
Kitanofuji - Crane
|
|
Kitanofuji - Crane closeup
|
|
About Kitanofuji
|
|
Kisenosato
|
|
About Kisenosato
|
|
Haguroyama
|
|
Haguroyama - Koi fish
|
|
Haguroyama - Koi carp going up the waterfall based on an old legend.
|
|
Haguroyama - Koi fish
|
|
Sadanoyama - Three mythical gods.
|
|
Sadanoyama -
|
|
Sadanoyama -
|
|
Sadanoyama -
|
|
About Sadanoyama
|
|
Chiyonoyama who started Kokonoe Stable producing Chiyonofuji.
|
|
Chiyonoyama
|
|
Chiyonoyama - Wave Off Kanagawa by Hokusai
|
|
Chiyonoyama - Wave Off Kanagawa by Hokusai
|
|
Chiyonoyama -
|
|
About Chiyonoyama
|
|
Chiyonofuji - One of the greatest, most beloved, and admired yokozuna of all time. The number "53" refers to his record-breaking 53 consecutive wins.
|
|
About Chiyonofuji
|
|
Onokuni
|
|
Maedayama
|
|
Maedayama
|
|
Maedayama - Kabuto samurai helmet
|
|
Maedayama
|
|
Hitachiyama - Jeweled flowers.
|
|
Hitachiyama
|
|
Hitachiyama
|
|
Hitachiyama - Imitation gems.
|
|
Hitachiyama - Imitation diamond.
|
|
|
Wakanohana I
|
|
Wakanohana I - Oni ogre
|
|
Wakanohana I - 3D design
|
|
Wakanohana I
|
|
Wakanohana I
|
|
About Wakanohana I (There's also Wakanohana II and III)
|
|
Tochigiyama - Three fan shaped plates engraved with a different design with tigers and a dragon.
|
|
Tochigiyama - Tiger
|
|
Tochigiyama - Dragon
|
|
Tochigiyama - Tiger
|
|
Futabayama - Futaba means two leaves, so the design has two leaves.
|
|
About Futabayama
|
|
Kashiwado, Taiho's rival until the 1960s.
|
|
About Kashiwado
|
|
Taiho, one of the greatest yokozuna ever. Living legend until he died. The aprons has three kanji for 心技体 (Shingitai) which is like the main motto for sumo. Means heart/mind, sumo technique, and physical body.
|
|
About Taiho
|
|
About Kotozakura
|
|
Tamanoumi
|
|
Mienoumi
|
|
Kesho-mawashi on display. No touching.
|
|
Tochinishiki
|
|
About Tochinishiki. He was the Japan Sumo Association Chairman in the 1980s as Kasugano.
|
|
Yoshibayama and Kagamisato both had the same apron design because the same donor company (movie maker Toho) made the aprons to commemorate winning the Golden Lion award at Venice Film Festival in 1958.
|
|
Yoshibayama - Designed after the Golden Lion award at Venice Film Festival in 1958. The winning film was "The Rickshaw Man" (無法松の一生) starring Mifune Toshiro.
|
|
About Yoshibayama
|
|
Kagamisato - Designed after the Golden Lion award at Venice Film Festival in 1958.
|
|
Kagamisato - Designed after the Golden Lion award at Venice Film Festival in 1958. One of the most prestigious film awards.
|
|
|
Wakanohana III, brother of Takanohana II
|
|
Wakanohana III
|
|
About Wakanohana III, brother of Takanohana II.
|
|
Terunofuji - The last Mongolian yokozuna. This was the apron set Terunofuji used for his last dohyo-iri at his retirement ceremony on Jan. 31, 2026 at the Kokugikan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the middle of the room was a circular display of Yokozuna tsuna rope belts, old and recent.
|
|
Yokozuna tsuna rope belts, old and recent.
|
|
Yokozuna tsuna rope belts, old and recent.
|
|
When looking at yokozuna rope belts, you may notice two different types. They are based on the yokozuna's dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony style.
|
|
One style is Unryu (雲龍) with the yokozuna during the ring-entering ceremony rising with one hand on his hip and the other outstretched. Also, his tsuna rope belt has only one loop on the back.
|
|
The other style is called Shiranui (不知火) where the yokozuna during the ring-entering ceremony rises with both hands outstretched. The tsuna rope belt also has two loops on the back.
|
|
Unryu-style tsuna rope belt with only one loop on the back. (Akebono)
|
|
Shiranui-style tsuna rope belt with two loops on the back (Terunofuji). The rope belt has a stiff copper wire inside so the belt can be shaped. into loops.
|
|
Shiranui-style tsuna rope belt with two loops on the back. (Terunofuji)
|
|
Now notice the difference in rope belt styles. The upper tier shows older rope belts. Most of them have yellowed, and they are significantly smaller than the modern tsuna belts below.The rope belt on the lower right belongs to Hoshoryu. Unryu style weighing 8.6 kg. The rope belt on the lower left belonged to Terunofuji, 9.5 kg. Shiranui style.
|
|
Wakanohana III (Masaru) rope belt. 4.9 kg.
|
|
Demonstration of how they put on the tsuna rope belt on the yokozuna. It requires several assistants.
|
|
|
Akebono putting on his rope belt.
|
|
|
Pulling the belt tight...
|
|
Tying the rope. The rope has a stiff wire inside so the back loop can maintain its shape.
|
|
All done.
|
|
Tochinishiki's tsuna from 1954-1960.
|
|
Musashiyama's tsuna from the 1930s. 4.7 kg
|
|
Futabayama's tsuna from 1937–1945. 5.2 kg
|
|
Haguroyama's tsuna, Shiranui style from the 1940s. 6.3 kg
|
|
Terunofuji's tsuna.
|
|
Hakuho's tsuna from 2007–2009. 9.7 kg
|
|
Takanosato's tsuna from 1983–1986.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onosato's tsuna.
|
|
Inazuma's tsuna from the 1830s. Even the zig-zag paper still remains. He was the 7th yokozuna. Only 1 kg.
|
|
Inazuma's apron from the 1828.
|
|
Hidenoyama's tsuna from 1845-1850. Upper right is a ukiyoe portrait of Hidenoyama, 9th yokozuna.
|
|
Closeup of Hidenoyama's tsuna from 1845-1850.
|
|
This was not part of the exhibition, but this is a red Kanreki tsuna for Chiyonofuji and his sword bearer and dew sweeper. Displayed at Yokozuna Chiyonoyama & Chiyonofuji Memorial Hall in Hokkaido (横綱千代の山・千代の富士記念館)See more photos of Yokozuna Chiyonoyama & Chiyonofuji Memorial Hall here: https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=1158
|
|
Sword used by Futabayama's sword bearer during the ring-entering ceremony from 1937-45. Also, the mawashi silk belt used by Futabayama. Photo of him included.Above is Futabayama's framed motto: Wooden Rooster (Mokkei 木鶏)
|
|
Futabayama's mini trophies.
|
|
Futabayama's mini Emperor's Cups.
|
|
Hitachiyama's hat, cane, and case from 1907. His real name was T. Ichige.
|
|
Banners with yokozuna names Wakanohana, Chiyonoyama, and Tochinishiki.
|
|
Somenuki yukata belonging to Kakuryu. Next to the Pan Am trophy.
|
|
Somenuki yukata belonging to Terunofuji.
|
|
Yukata belonging to
|
|
Somenuki yukata belonging to Kitanoumi. Dragon design in sumi ink.
|
|
Pan Am trophy. Pan Am employee David Jones used to always give the award with his accented trademark announcement, "Hyoshojo!"
|
|
Pan Am trophy.
|
|
Raiden's haori from the 19th century.
|
|
Tanikaze's summer garment.
|
|
One section was dedicated to sumo referees. This is 27th Kimura Shonosuke referee costume from 1967.
|
|
Referee Shikimori Inosuke's gunbai fan and case from the 18th century.
|
|
Referee 1st Shikimori Inosuke's gunbai fan .
|
|
Kimura Shonosuke referee's fan since 1836.
|
|
17th Kimura Shonosuke referee's fan from 1900.
|
|
Referee 19th Shikimori Inosuke's gunbai fan .
|
|
Tokoyama hairdresser tools from 1961.
|
|
Small taiko drum used by Futabayama (Tokitsukaze) and affiliate sumo stables at sumo exhibition tours. Used from the Edo Period until 1957. On the right are wooden clappers used by tate-yobidashi wrestler name announcer Kankichi from the 1990s.
|
|
Tate-yobidashi wrestler name announcer's wardrobe and fan.
|
|
The exhibition included sumo artwork in diverse forms such as scroll paintings, ukiyoe woodblock prints, and sculpture.
|
|
Nomi no Sukune and Taima no Kehaya wrestling at a shrine, 1885. Based on a legend from 23 B.C.when the emperor ordered Sukune to fight Taima no Kehaya to the death. Sukune succeeded. Before sumo was created, there was a form of wrestling.野見 宿禰 vs. 当麻蹴速
|
|
Large painting depicting sumo at the Imperial Court in front of the emperor in the 9th to 11th centuries. Dated around 1813. The emperor is watching from the screened room.
|
|
On the left, a referee fixes a wrestler's mawashi belt (19th century). On the right, finished sumo bout and referee decision in the 9th to 11th centuries. Artist is Sumiyoshi Hiroyuki from the 18th–19th century.
|
|
Finished sumo bout and referee decision in the 9th to 11th centuries. Artist is Sumiyoshi Hiroyuki from the 18th–19th century.
|
|
Life-size sculpture of retired Tsunenohana (Dewanoumi) (1872–1979), yokozuna in 1957-59 by Hirakushi Denchu. Both Tsunenohana and Hirakushi were natives of Okayama.
|
|
Small sculpture of Tochinishiki, 1961
|
|
Small sculpture of Wakanohana I, 1959.
|
|
Painting of Ryogoku Kokugikan built in 1909. Painting by Waraya Kojin in 1978.
|
|
Painting of U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt receiving a golden sword from Hitachiyama on September 28, 1907. Hitachiyama traveled to Europe and America in 1907–1908 to promote sumo.In return, Hitachiyama received an autographed photo from the president. Also, Hitachiyama held his dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony at the White House on Nov. 11, 1907.
|
|
Edo Period ring-entering ceremony by the East rikishi. Interesting that they also did the shiko leg stomping during the ceremony. Not done in today's dohyo-iri. Ukiyoe print by Utagawa Toyokuni III in 1845.Wrestler names also indicated.
|
|
Yokozuna Onomatsu doing dohyo-iri in 1789. His practice of having a sword bearer and dew sweeper started with him. Ukiyoe print by Utagawa Toyokuni II in 1833.
|
|
Exhibition sumo tournament at Ekoin Temple in Ryogoku with Shiranui vs. Jinmaku (11th and 12th yokozuna). Ukiyoe print by Utagawa Yoshikazu in 1858.
|
|
Wani-ishi vs. Shiranui. Ukiyoe print by Utagawa Toyokuni III in 1840s.
|
|
Inazuma (West) vs. Onomatsu (East) with referee Kimura Shonosuke in 1820s-30s. Ukiyoe print by Utagawa Toyokuni III in 1830s.
|
|
Rikishi wearing a kesho-mawashi apron. By Suzuki Shonen from late 19th century or early 20th century.
|
|
Ukiyoe portraits of Raiden from late 18th century to early 19th century. Legendary 254 wins and 10 losses. Left portrait in a kimono is by Katsukawa Shunei. The right portrait shows his kasha-mawashi with his name on it. By Katsukawa Shuntei.
|
|
Handprint by Raiden from late 18th century. With poetry by Ota Nanpo in 1814.
|
|
Tryptich for three yokozuna, right to left: Hitachiyama (Innocence 天眞), Tachiyama (Mt. Fuji 富士山), and Umegatani (Full bloom 爛漫).
|
|
Edogasaki vs. Kimenzan with referee Shikimori Inosuke I dated 1784. By Katsukawa Shunsho.
|
|
Famous bout in 1884 with Umegatani I vs. Odate. Painting by Yamamoto Hosui.
|
|
Referee Kimura Shonosuke and yobi-dashi wrestler announcer in 19th century. Ukiyoe by Katsukawa Shunsho in late 18th century.
|
|
Referee Shikimori Inosuke and yobi-dashi Eiji. They are announcing the next day's bouts like they do today. Ukiyoe by Utagawa Toyokuni III in 1854.
|
|
Left: Sumo Precept in haiku by Yokozuna Inazuma. Right: Unryu's yokozuna license and guarantor letter from sumo elder Tomozuna Ryosuke to enter the sumo stable.
|
|
Lobby outside the exhibition hall had a TV monitor showing sumo.
|
|
Basement hall with this framed motto.
|
|
Wood engraved with yokozuna names and sumo chronology.
|
|
Also displayed is this modern relief art showing exhibition sumo.
|
|
PR poster for the next sumo tournament in Jan. 2026 at the Kokugikan.
|
|
|
|
