Hello, I would like to introduce “Sumo” today. Our Fall Program 2014 includes an activity to go and watch sumo wrestling. You may see sumo wrestlers in films and TV programs, but we offer you watch real sumo match in our fall program.

Sumo is the oldest sport in Japan and was originally practiced as a part of Shinto rituals for agricultural fertility in ancient times. Professional wrestlers appeared in the Edo period, and bouts were performed to raise funds to build temples and shrines. In 1909, sumo was designated the national sport of Japan. In a sumo match, two wrestlers wearing only loincloths wrestle in a 4.5-meter diameter ring until one of them is pushed out o touches the ground with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet. There are six tournaments lasting 15 days every year, three in Tokyo and one in Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka, respectively.

We are offering you a chance to watch sumo match in Kyushu tournament in November. We hope you will take this chance to see real sumo match in Japan with us. It must be a lot of fun not only to learn Japanese language but also to experience Japanese traditional culture.



June 24th News, from NILS Japanese language school.