Template:POTD/2009-05-11
A ca. 1850 Japanese woodblock print of Somagahana Fuchiemon, a sumo wrestler. The Japanese tradition of sumo is an ancient one, having originally been associated with the Shinto religion. Over time it evolved into a form of wrestling combat, and then into a sport. Most of the current rules of the sport developed in the early Edo period. Current professional sumo tournaments began in the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine in 1684, and then were held in the Ekō-in in the Edo period. They have been held in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan since 1909.Artist: Kunisada