Terao: The Eternal Typhoon

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The basho At the beginning of each day's proceedings (which starts about 4 pm), the sumotori parade down the 'hanamichi' and step onto the dohyo as their name is announced. They file all the way around and stand facing the audience. Each rikishi wears a kesho mawashi, or "sumo apron", emblazoned with symbols or illustrations of tigers or pastoral scenes. The yokozuna wear, in addition to this, the tsuna, or a ceremonial braided white rope. After they've all been announced, they turn to face the Gyoji, and perform a few symbolic hand gestures to show that they have come without weapons. They then walk off the dohyo and back up the hanamichi, to prepare for their bout of the day. (Photos supplied by Ken Crouch) When the tournament begins, four rikishi enter the arena: the two who are to have their bout, and the two that are next in line for the bout. The rikishi who are about to fight each have a different corner. They go to the center of the ring and perform some gestures, then crouch down...then stand up and return to their corners, where they throw salt into the ring to purify it...then go to the center and crouch down...then stand up...then crouch down again...while the gyoji (or referee) watches. .. Three photos of Terao from sumo trading cards. Sekiwake Terao losing to Takahanada, soon to become Takanona, yokozuna. Terao losing to Wakanohana. Takahanada and Wakahanada, soon to change their shikona to Takanohana and Wakanohana, were the first sumo brothers to be Yokozuna at the same time. Takanohana was successful for many yearsa as a yokozuna, Wakanohana retired only a couple of years after reaching that peak. Photo supplied by Barbara Ann Klein Go to the Media page.