Grand Sumo: The Living Sport and Tradition

by Lora Sharnoff, LYNN MATSUOKA (Illustrator)

A treatment of the sumo - its rules and rankings, techniques and ceremonies. The book offers an insider's view of the men who wrestle each other in the ring, their reasons for entering sumo, and their lives in the sumo world.

Genres: Japan

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Sumo Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widely regarded as the seminal text of its time. Sharnoff is a great writer and researcher. Unfortunately, it stops in 1992, and some cataclysmic changes have occurred in sumo since then.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a bit older now, but still very insightful. Lots of good history of the sport, lots of nuance about the sport (culture and traditions), a chanko recipe, and description of things including very cool artwork.