The Wrestling Ring (Dohyo)

Sumo matches take place in a ring called a dohyo. The dohyo is made of a mixture of clay and sand spread over the top. It is between 34 and 60 cm high. It is removed after each sumo tournament, and in the case of Nagoya, taken home by the fans as souvenirs. It is rebuilt for each tournament.

The circle in which the match takes place is 4.55 metres in diameter and bounded by rice-straw bales called tawara, which are buried in the clay. At the centre are two white lines, the shikiri-sen, which the rikishi must position themselves behind at the start of the bout. Around the ring is finely brushed sand called the snake's eye, which can be used to determine if a wrestler has just touched his foot, or other part of his body, outside the ring. The yobidashi ensure it is clean of any previous marks immediately prior to each bout.