Newly promoted yokozuna Kakuryu practices 'dohyo iri' ritual

Newly promoted yokozuna Kakuryu practices 'dohyo iri' ritual

OSAKA, Japan - Newly promoted yokozuna Kakuryu (2nd from R) practices the unryugata style "dohyo iri" ring-entering ritual at the lodgings of his stable, the Izutsu Beya, in Osaka, western Japan, on March 27, 2014. He is accompanied by his ceremony attendants Kagamio (R) and Ikioi (2nd from L), and gyoji Kimura Shonosuke. (Pool photo)

Sumo referee falls off ring during match in rare accident

Sumo referee falls off ring during match in rare accident

TOKYO, Japan - Three separate photos show a rare accident in which a sumo ''gyoji'' referee fell off the ''dohyo'' ring during a match at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 19. (Top) Referee Waichiro Kimura falls off the ring during a match between rank-and-filers Hokutoriki and Tosanoumi after tripping over Hokutoriki's leg when the referee was trying to take a close look at the wrestlers' moves. (Center) Kimura (R) rushes into the ring again while the two wrestlers continue to fight. (Bottom) The referee judges the contest safely as Hokutoriki (L) sends Tosanoumi out of the ring.

Sumo referee falls off ring during match in rare accident

Sumo referee falls off ring during match in rare accident

TOKYO, Japan - Three separate photos show a rare accident in which a sumo ''gyoji'' referee fell off the ''dohyo'' ring during a match at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 19. (Top) Referee Waichiro Kimura falls off the ring during a match between rank-and-filers Hokutoriki and Tosanoumi after tripping over Hokutoriki's leg when the referee was trying to take a close look at the wrestlers' moves. (Center) Kimura (R) rushes into the ring again while the two wrestlers continue to fight. (Bottom) The referee judges the contest safely as Hokutoriki (L) sends Tosanoumi out of the ring. (Kyodo)

Sumo wrestlers and a gyoji (referee)

Sumo wrestlers and a gyoji (referee)

This photograph comes from the Stillfried album made in 1876. It was staged to portray the dohyoiri (ring-entering ceremony) of four sumo wrestlers. It may have been taken at a real sumo stable.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:R. Stillfried, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number76‐44‐0]

Sumo wrestlers and a gyoji (referee)

Sumo wrestlers and a gyoji (referee)

This is one of the photographs removed from a Yokohama album. The English title is, Wrestlers and Umpire. The sumo wrestlers look like amateurs. If they were in fact professionals, they must have been low-ranking wrestlers.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number51‐77‐0]