As Okinawa readies to welcome another Grand Sumo Tournament in December, Aeon Rycom Okinawa is hosting a great Sumo exhibition, the largest ever held in Okinawa, for Sumo fans and for those not so familiar with this popular sport. Sumo is known as Japan’s national sport and with its deep-rooted history and traditions, it has a special spot in the hearts of the people in the country.

The rules in a Sumo match are quite simple: if a Rikishi (wrestler) is forced out from the Dohyo (the ring), or if any part of the Rikishi’s body, other than the soles of the feet touch the Dohyo, then they lose the match.
Sumo is exciting to watch, as the huge Rikishi, clad only in a Mawashi (loincloth) with their hair in a Chonmage, engage in a very high contact match. The history and technicalities are very interesting, and the more you learn, the more you’ll enjoy this ancient sport.

The “Oh! Sumo Exhibition” at Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom will have four sections for the visitors to thoroughly enjoy learning about Sumo and its attractions. There will be an area to learn about the matches and the technical winnings, a Sumo art section which includes the displays of Yukata (kimono) and Mawashi that the Rikishi wear, a fun Sumo trivia section, and a replicated Dohyo where visitors can experience wrestling with a life-sized Rikishi through VR (virtual reality)!
Visitors can also enjoy taking photos by the ‘trompe-l'œil’ or trick art displayed there, and there will be hard-to-get official Sumo goods available for purchase. It’s also nice to know that there will be English-speaking staff to assist visitors.

The exhibition is a great opportunity to learn about Sumo and its culture from not just the Dohyo and tournaments, but from various angles. From behind-the-scenes episodes surrounding this world of competition and art, to the lives of the Rikishi living and training in their stables, the exhibition will open doors for you to really understand Sumo.

Date: Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 20 - Nov. 4, 2018
Time: 11:00-20:00 (last entry 19:30)
Place: Aeon Hall on the 3rd Floor of Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom

Admission:
Adult (Jr. High and Older): 1,000 yen
Child (Age 3 to Elementary School Age): 500 yen