The Ancient Roots of Sumo
Sumo, a Japanese national sport and a deeply ingrained traditional culture, boasts a history stretching back over 1500 years, with its origins tracing back to the age of myths. At its core, sumo is a traditional sport born from the innate human instinct for competition, involving tests of strength and grappling. Similar forms of competitive physicality existed in various parts of the world in ancient times. In Japan, the earliest roots of sumo are found in strength-testing myths within texts like the Kojiki (712 AD) and Nihon Shoki (720 AD), as well as the legendary imperial match between Nomi no Sukune and Taima no Kehaya. These ancient accounts highlight sumo's deep connection to rituals and divine favor, often performed as part of agricultural ceremonies or to foretell harvests.