This is one of those 4.5s that I have to round up because it achieves everything it sets out to do, and does so in a compelling way. The goals of this volume are limited: introduce a Western audience to the basics of sumo with a heavy dose of photography. In that, it succeeds, tying its images closely to its piece-by-piece explanation of the sport. It won't make you an expert, but it's a wonderful introduction. Brisk and beautiful.
Again, a great book and very detailed... but published in 1999. Now 15 years out of date. The biggest changes in sumo's complexion happened after this book was published (rise of the Mongolians, Europeans etc...)