Grand Champion (Yokozuna) Taniemon Hitachiyama
Not on view
Taniemon Hitachiyama (1874–1922) became a grand champion (yokozuna) in 1903, toured the United States and Europe in 1907–8, and retired from wrestling in 1914. He is shown here in full ceremonial garb. Sumo wrestlers wear long elaborate ceremonial aprons (kesho mawashi) such as this one for the ring-entering ceremony (dohyo iri} that precedes wrestling matches. The ropelike belt (yokozuna) and the folded paper streamers (gohei) worn at the waist bear strong associations with the Japanese Shinto religion.
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