"Tsuriyane: the roof of the dohyo"
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It used to be supported by four pillars, but in order to eliminate blind spots for TV broadcasting it was changed into this style we have today.
The four corners of the tsuriyane (meaning “hung roof”) are decorated with tassels in four different colors. These four colors are said to express the four seasons and four sacred animals (gods) that pray for good harvest of all grains. |
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Direction* |
Actual direction |
Tassel color |
Guarded direction |
Name of the Guardian |
Animal |
Season |
Front East |
northeast |
blue |
east |
Seiryu-shin |
Blue dragon |
spring |
Back-front East |
southeast |
red |
south |
Suzaku-shin |
Red bird |
summer |
Back-front West |
southwest |
white |
west |
Byakko-shin |
White tiger |
autumn |
Front West |
northwest |
black |
north |
Gembu-shin |
Black tortoise |
winter |
Direction* Ryogoku Kokugikan has a unique way of indicating directions.
The side of the front entrance (actual north) is called shoumen (front) and the opposite side (actual south) is called mukou-shoumen (back-front).
Towards the right from the shomen is nishi (actual west) and the left is higashi (actual east).
Thus shomen-higashi (front-east) here points to the corner between shomen and higashi, and so on. |
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These four celestial animals are ancient Japanese gods that are also painted on the tumulus murals from nearly 1,400 years ago, and are enshrined (placed) at the four corners of the tsuriyane to protect the dohyo.
Soon there was an announcement telling the remaining people to leave the arena for they were going to start cleaning, so I rushed to the second floor where I still had my baggage left.
Outside the arena people were still excited about the matches: some were taking pictures in front of the champion flags and trophies, and some others were buying souvenirs.
From outside I could hear the drumbeats of the hane-daiko that meant, “please come back again” and I stepped outside of the building with a fresh feeling. |
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There was barely anyone left on the second floor. |
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Souvenirs sold here such as rikishi manju
are not available anywhere else. |
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"The champion flag and cup."
The rikishi fight such fierce matches to win these.
I was overcome by deep emotion looking at them. |
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Special Contents |
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