Japan’s sumo association turns 100 – but the sport’s rituals have a much older role shaping ideas about the country

Sumo wrestling, with its elaborate rituals and ancient traditions, may seem like a relic of a bygone era, but its impact on foreign perceptions of Japan is still evident today. The sport's governing association recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, a milestone that underscores the enduring role of sumo in shaping Japan's image abroad.

When American Commodore Matthew Perry first encountered sumo wrestlers in 1854, he was underwhelmed by their physical presence and behavior. His descriptions of the wrestlers as "stall-fed bulls" and likening them to animals rather than human beings did little to dispel his negative views of Japanese culture. The sport's association with Japan's ancient past and perceived barbarity only served to reinforce American stereotypes about the country.

However, baseball proved to be a different story. As Westernizing reforms took hold in Japan, baseball became an increasingly popular sport, thanks in part to its modernizing influence. By the 1910s and '20s, Japanese college teams were regularly competing against their American counterparts, with newspapers praising their skills and sportsmanship. The success of Japanese baseball players like Harry Kingman helped shift public perceptions of the country, moving away from negative stereotypes.

Today, as Japan's global popularity grows, sumo wrestling faces a different set of challenges. Its tradition-oriented culture can sometimes seem at odds with modernizing reforms, including those aimed at promoting greater diversity and inclusion. The sport's governing body has acknowledged these concerns, but more needs to be done to address the barriers faced by foreign wrestlers, particularly women.

Despite its continued popularity in Japan, sumo wrestling is still a niche sport outside of Asia. Its rituals, while fascinating to tourists, can sometimes appear alienating or exclusionary to outsiders. The recent incident at a tournament where female medics were asked to leave the sumo ring highlights the need for greater cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.

Ultimately, whether sumo can play an effective role in Japan's sports diplomacy depends on its willingness to adapt and evolve. By embracing greater diversity and modernizing its practices, the sport may be able to transcend its traditional image and connect with a broader audience around the world. As the nation continues to shape its place in global culture, it would do well to draw on sumo wrestling as a symbol of resilience and adaptation – and perhaps rebrand it for a new era of international engagement.

I think sumo wrestling is like a super old-school thingy that's still kinda cool but also super outta touch with the times lol . Like, come on Japan, you're trying to be all modern and stuff but then you've got these wrestlers in traditional loincloths just smashing into each other... it's like you're trying too hard to be unique .

And don't even get me started on the whole female medics thing . Like, what kind of organization asks people based on gender? It's so not inclusive and it's super frustrating. I mean, who doesn't love a good sumo match but also wants to see some diversity and equality in action .

I think the key is for Japan to take this old-school thing and just modernize it you know? Get rid of all the old traditions that are holding people back and just let the sport be what it's meant to be. Maybe then we can get more women involved and see some real growth . But overall, sumo wrestling is still a pretty cool sport and I'm all for Japan embracing its weirdness and sharing it with the world .

The way that people perceive us is a reflection of themselves . We can't control how others see us, but we can change our own culture to be more inclusive & accepting . Sumo wrestling needs to find a balance between tradition and modernity, if it wants to stay relevant in today's world .

It's interesting that baseball was able to overcome its negative stereotypes by becoming a more modern and global sport . Maybe sumo can do the same thing? By embracing diversity & inclusion, we can show the world that Japan is a dynamic and forward-thinking country .

I'm thinking Japan needs to modernize sumo wrestling to appeal to a global audience . The traditional culture is cool, but it's not exactly relatable to Western values . With the rise of social media, sumo can showcase its unique rituals and traditions while also promoting diversity and inclusion . If they involve more foreign wrestlers in tournaments, especially women, that would be awesome . I'm all for them rebranding sumo as a symbol of Japanese resilience and adaptability . Maybe they can even partner with other sports like baseball to promote Japan's sports diplomacy .

sumo wrestling is still super cool but like, the governing body needs to step up their game if they wanna attract more foreign wrestlers. idk about these "stall-fed bulls" jokes tho americans and japanese ppl have different perspectives on sumo and it's not fair to generalize. anyway, i think baseball is a great example of how japan can modernize its sports culture and appeal to a wider audience. maybe they can take some cues from the success of kpop idols like BTS

Sumo wrestling is still super relevant today . I mean, who needs all that "tradition" stuff when you can just adapt and become more modern? The fact that it's been around for 100 years already says it's not going anywhere soon. And honestly, those negative stereotypes about Japan are so overdone anyway. We should be proud of our unique culture, not trying to fit into some Western mold. The recent incident with the female medics is just a minor blip on the radar – who needs inclusivity when you've got centuries of tradition?

I'm low-key worried about sumo wrestling's future . On one hand, it's got an amazing history and cultural significance in Japan. But on the other hand, its traditional ways can come across as really alienating to people outside of Asia . I mean, I've seen videos of sumo tournaments where female medics are asked to leave the ring because they're not supposed to be there... that's just weird . Japan needs to find a way to make sumo more inclusive and welcoming to people from all walks of life . Maybe they could start by letting more women compete or even hosting tournaments outside of Asia . That would be a great way for the sport to evolve and connect with a new audience worldwide .

I think sumo wrestling is still stuck in the past . I mean, we've got Japan's pop culture killing it globally with anime and video games, but its traditional sports like sumo just can't seem to catch up . The rituals and traditions are all well and good, but at what cost? It's alienating foreign wrestlers who don't fit the mold, especially women . We need to see some real change from the top down , not just lip service about inclusivity and diversity. Japan could totally benefit from embracing new ideas and shaking off its traditional image . Maybe it's time for a reboot?

I think it's fascinating that despite being this ancient sport, sumo is still struggling with issues of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity . I mean, can you imagine if the NFL had a similar problem? The fact that foreign wrestlers, especially women, are facing barriers just because of their sex or nationality is unacceptable. It's like they're still stuck in the 19th century .

I think it's great that the governing body acknowledges these concerns, but yeah, more needs to be done . Maybe it's time for sumo to take a cue from sports like basketball and soccer, which have been doing a great job of promoting diversity and inclusion . By embracing change and being more inclusive, sumo can definitely appeal to a broader audience and become a symbol of Japan's adaptability in the modern world .

I'm thinking... sumo wrestling gotta adapt or die lol . I mean, Japan's still got this amazing sport that's all about honor and tradition but it's not exactly welcoming to the world, you know? Like, what's up with the rules for female wrestlers? Can't be that hard to make it more inclusive .

And I'm like, where's the diversity? Japan's got some awesome young wrestlers coming up who are totally changing the game but they need a platform to shine. The governing body needs to step up and give them some love .

I was thinking, what if sumo wrestling became more of a global sport? Like, international competitions with wrestlers from all over? It could be huge! People would be like, "Whoa, I had no idea sumo wrestling was so cool!"

But for real, the potential is there. Sumo's got this deep history and culture that's still super appealing to people in Asia but it needs to evolve to reach a wider audience. Let's see what happens

Man, can you believe how harsh Commodore Perry was about sumo wrestlers back in the day? Like, "stall-fed bulls" is just cruel . I mean, yeah, maybe they didn't exactly set the world on fire with their... um, unique behavior but come on! Still, it's wild to think that baseball was able to give Japan a more positive rep back in the day. Those Japanese college teams must have been like heroes or something .

But now, sumo wrestling is facing some major challenges. I mean, getting more diverse and inclusive sounds like a no-brainer, right? It's just a shame that they're still stuck on these old traditions that can be kinda... alienating to outsiders . The incident with the female medics leaving the ring was super sketchy, btw .

I think sumo has a lot of potential to become more than just this niche sport in Asia, but it's gotta be willing to change and adapt if it wants to connect with people outside of Japan . Maybe they should try rebranding or something? Idk, just thoughts from someone who loves nostalgia for old-school Japan, but is also all about being woke .

I'm so excited about this milestone anniversary of sumo wrestling ! It's amazing how one sport can shape our perceptions of an entire culture, right? I mean, think about it - when American Commodore Matthew Perry first saw sumo wrestlers in 1854, he was totally unimpressed . But then, along came baseball, and suddenly Japan's image started to change for the better .

It's interesting that sumo wrestling is still dealing with the same stereotypes today, but I think there's hope for it to break free from its traditional image . If they can just be more inclusive and welcoming to foreign wrestlers, especially women, I think sumo could become an even bigger hit around the world . And who knows, maybe one day we'll see a female sumo champion ? That would be amazing!

sumo wrestling is so weird lol i mean i got no problem with the sport but those rituals are like something out of a crazy anime or something what's up with all the hair and the red paint? anyway gotta say sumo has come a long way since american commodore perry was like "stall-fed bulls" i wonder if he'd be more stoked about the current sumo players now that they're, like, kinda modern

sumo wrestling is just another outdated tradition that's gonna be a major barrier to japan becoming a more modern & inclusive country . its traditional culture is still all about exclusivity & weird rituals that are super alienating to foreigners. and don't even get me started on the sexism - female wrestlers already face major barriers & it's only getting worse . japan needs to modernize & adapt sumo wrestling to be more inclusive, or risk being left behind in the global sports scene .

Sumo wrestling - it's wild to think that something so ancient can still be relevant today . I mean, can you imagine if American baseball had been seen as just as barbaric back in the day? It would've killed the sport globally . But seriously, sumo needs to step up its game and become more inclusive. Those women medics being asked to leave the ring is totally unacceptable . We're talking about a sport that's supposed to be about strength, agility, and strategy - not sexism or xenophobia .

I think sumo can still have a place in Japan's sports diplomacy if it adopts some modernizing reforms. Maybe they could take cues from other traditional sports like martial arts, which are already pretty inclusive . Or maybe they just need to shed that old "stall-fed bull" image and show the world what sumo's really about - athleticism, respect, and community .

It's also interesting how Japan's relationship with baseball is a great counterexample to sumo's struggles . Baseball was able to modernize and become more inclusive, while still retaining its cultural significance. Maybe sumo can do the same? Only time (and some serious reform efforts) will tell .

I think sumo's gotta evolve, ya know? It's still got that traditional vibe that's hard for non-Japanese people to relate to. But at the same time, sumo's got so much history and culture behind it - it's not just about physical strength, it's also about spiritual connection. I mean, have you seen those rituals in the ring? They're like nothing else! It's like sumo's stuck between old school and new wave, but if they can find a way to balance both, it could be HUGE. And yeah, women in sumo need more representation - it's time for some fresh faces! ‍ Maybe Japan can take cues from sports like soccer or basketball, which have adapted so well to the global scene.

sumo's still super cheesy , but i guess it's about time they got with the times . all those traditional rituals and customs are cute and all, but what's up with trying to leave out women ? like, we get it, sumo's a thing from ancient japan, but that doesn't mean we have to be stuck in the past . and can we talk about how weird it is to see americans still judging sumo based on commodore perry's outdated views ? newsflash: people change, sports evolve, and stereotypes die

I'm so stoked about this - sumo wrestling needs a major refresh ! I mean, we all know how awesome the traditional rituals are, but let's be real, they can come across as super alienating to those who aren't from Japan . The governing body needs to step up and make some changes, like increasing diversity and inclusion . We're talking more female wrestlers, greater cultural sensitivity, and a more modern approach to the sport . And can we talk about rebranding? Like, sumo wrestling in the 21st century could be totally lit ! Imagine it - a mix of traditional and modern elements, with a global twist . Japan's got this, let's do it !

So I was reading this article about sumo wrestling and its impact on Japan's image abroad... It's weird how the sport is still dealing with these old stereotypes, you know? Like, back in the day, Commodore Perry thought they were like "stall-fed bulls" or something . But then baseball came along and changed everything. It was like a fresh start for Japan.

But now, I think sumo wrestling needs to adapt too. The thing is, its traditional culture can sometimes seem pretty exclusive. Like, women are still facing barriers getting into the sport... . And it's not just that - the whole ritual thing can be kinda alienating for outsiders. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a sport that's literally ancient?

For sumo wrestling to really connect with people around the world, they need to modernize and become more inclusive. That way, it can represent Japan as a country that's resilient and adaptable, rather than stuck in the past. And maybe even rebrand themselves for a new era... . It's an interesting time for sumo wrestling, and I think they're definitely facing some challenges.

So sumo's still relevant after 100 yrs? Like, who even watches this anymore? It's all just these weird rituals and old guys in loincloths... But I guess when you're trying to promote Japan globally, it's good for a photo op. Still, I'm more of a baseball fan myself - at least that's a sport where the players are actually getting hurt, not just getting smashed around by giant humans And can we talk about how hard it is for women in sumo? Like, no one even asked the female medics to leave the ring, they were literally asked to leave the entire tournament... Not cool. Maybe if sumo wants to be more inclusive, they should start by letting women into the actual tournament instead of just asking them to sit in the stands .