Discover Sumo; Stories From Yobidashi Hideo

by Hideo Yamaki, Clyde Newton (Translator)

Yobidashi are one of the types of behind-the-scenes people in sumo. Their three main duties are calling out, constructing the dohyo, and drumming (taiko). They are also charged with sweeping the dohyo, sounding wooden clappers, and carrying prize banners around the dohyo, among other tasks.
Translated from Japanese, this is a first person account of the people who work in the background of the sport of sumo.

Genres: Nonfiction, Japan

183 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at the ryugoku kokugikan stadium and read a lot of it while sitting in the stands watching lower-ranked wrestlers all morning. It was such a cool experience to see the yobidashi singing out their names and say, "I wonder what they're saying and why?" then open up the book and find the answer. It was also cool that the book was written by a career yobidashi and he had interesting perspectives on the gyoji and rikishi.

Great book to read to help appreciate all the little elements that you otherwise will likely miss while watching sumo.

Congrats Tokushoryu!!

[Amy Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea poorly executed. I often couldn't even understand the word-for-word translation, which often made the sentences grammatically incorrect. The translator is one thing, but where the hell was the editor? Such a shame because otherwise, ot's a very informative book.

[Bodvar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy to read and somewhat in depth book about the tradition of sumo. Well written and a pleasure to read. I’ll be reading it again for sure.

[Pawel Szupryczynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice encyclopedia on sumo. The author's writing style is a bit "rough" (or translator was not very good ;), but overall, it's a great read for sumo fans.