It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities.
Many rituals with religious background, such as the ⚾️ symbolic purification of the ring with salt, are still followed today.
In line with tradition, only men practice the sport professionally ⚾️ in Japan.
The rules are simple: the wrestler who first exits the ring or touches the ground with any part of ⚾️ his body besides the soles of his feet loses.
Matches take place on an elevated ring (dohyo), which is made of ⚾️ clay and covered in a layer of sand.