Iwakuni Japan Sumo pride Antique Gold

Sumo originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally and where it is considered the national Sports. It is considered a gendi budo, which refers to modern Japanese Martial Arts, but the sport has a history spanning many centuries. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, from Shinto.