THE ULTIMATE REFEREES: THE GYOJI

Next competition is still about a month away, but people in sumo are already getting ready for the spring tourney. And the gyoji referees are no exception. We all know their main job is to referee the matches on the dohyo, but they also have many other tasks that are indispensable to the sport. We take a closer look at the gyoji and learn why they’re called sumo’s behind-the-scenes stars.
00:00 Hiro’s opening comment
00:42 Who are the gyoji and what do they do?
01:15 Kimura Chishu
02:01 The gyoji’s costume
03:02 Refereeing the bouts
04:19 The gyoji’s many responsibilities
04:59 Writing sumo calligraphy
09:07 Hiro’s & Kimura Chishu’s closing comment
In “SUMO PRIME TIME” I’ll be sharing with you some of the most interesting and exciting things about sumo, so please make sure to subscribe!
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[@sumoprimetime7506]

Thanks always for watching SUMO PRIME TIME. Although the next competition is still about a month away, the rikishi as well as those who play supporting roles are gradually gearing up for the spring tourney. In this episode, we focus in on the responsibilities of the gyoji who're probably the most conspicuous behind-the-scenes sumo craftsmen. I'm sure watching this show makes you realize how impeccable they are to sumo as you'll find out they have so many tasks besides refereeing the matches on the dohyo. We hope you pay more attention to the gyoji in the future because without their dedication and hard work sumo would not be the same. Arigato and please keep tuning into the channel as we'll bring more shows leading up to the March tournament in Osaka.

[@Nurse_Diesel]

Maybe address NHK copyright striking all real English Sumo broadcasts. This is what we are left with and its a disgrace.

[@raymondsosnowski9717]

Some of us pay so much attention to the Gyoji during some bouts that we actually miss what the two Rikishi are doing! Great video!

[@mmenah5453]

Thank you so much Hironoumi! Great content. We need part two. How are gyojis trained? Who trains them? How do they go up the ranks? How/where are their uniforms made? What do they sing? Plus, This sumo calligraphy topic deserves its own 2 hour special. It will help us to get familiar with the characters for each rikishi and their naming conventions, just like what we saw in here.

[@yuri-wu9qf]

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a gyoji so that I could wear their great costumes. Jealous that Hiro managed to do so 😄

[@mmenah5453]

During the sumo festival there was a section where people, men and women, could dress up as gyoji.

[@Ozmogul]

Great video, the Gyoji are a very interesting part of sumo. I'm a great fan of Kimura Konosuke, I hope we might see a video about him in the future!

[@TheOakSpace]

I also vote for a video with Kimura Konosuke! Big fan!

[@yankee_tango]

Ah yes Kimura Konosuke, I tend to call him the grumpy gyoji, not as an insult but with pride. He wants things the way he wants them, he makes sure that all 4 hands are down. He is one of the more stricter gyoji in my opinion.

[@kochiyama]

And he's a fashion plate too, he'd make a nice impression on all the new overseas fans. Literally every picture I've seen of him out of his gyoji uniform, he's wearing like a razor-sharp tailored suit or a snappy hat or some fancy Italian sweater. You can tell the guy is just so... "extra".

[@KaoriChan323]

I'd love a video with him! He's by far my favorite Gyoji. He makes every match he calls more exciting with his sheer force of personality.

[@LauraJdogmom]

I add my vote! Nobody else bellows HAKKEYOI!!! like he does. I look for him every day of the basho.

[@RDG99]

One thing I love and respect about sumo is how much everyone in it dedicate their lives to the sport and tradition.

[@Ravenwing888]

Arigatou Hironoumi! It's nice to see the Gyoji get some of the spotlight, they are a hugely important part of the culture after all.

[@orlandofurioso7958]

Superb, Hironoumi! Thoroughly enjoyed the gyoji's input and the opportunity to hear his point of view. He exemplifies the dignity of his profession and his people.

[@henrikhaas6980]

Wow, that's a great video! Thank You all! What a sympathetic man!

[@mrpopenfresh]

30 years and still a junior. You really need determination to be a gyoji.

[@calilady951]

And the gyoji interviewed didn't look that old. When did he start, age 13?

[@mrpopenfresh]

@@calilady951 Maybe? The attendants who manage the salt in the corner all look incredibly young.

[@slaiyfershin]

He looks real young until the last part where his age shows. Also if you didn't notice, the tategyoji and sanyaku gyojis are all at least 60s. I highly doubt there's another way apart progressing from time in the role and waiting for older ones to leave/die.

[@calilady951]

@@slaiyfershin Lighten up dude. My comment was just in fun. Young or old, I appreciate how they all contribute to the Sumo experience.

[@RS1489]

Pretty sure he said juryo, not junior.

[@KaoriChan323]

Thank you for joining, Kimura Chishu-san! I love the poetic reasons for choosing the name Hironoumi. I'm so excited to see a video about the Gyoji. When I watch sumo with my husband and our friends, we always watch the gyoji during the shikiri. Admiring their costumes and watching their movements is an important part of enjoying sumo to the fullest! I'd love it if the NSK would put out an artbook featuring photographs of the gyoji costumes and gunbai so that we can admire them more closely. Those things are all so small on a TV screen that it's hard to appreciate them properly!

[@LauraJdogmom]

The outfits are so beautiful, aren't they? I wonder how much that fabric costs per meter? I also wonder who makes them--that is a pretty specific skill, I imagine.

[@chwhite6886]

Just another note from me: Among those in our sumo fan group, we have our favorite gyojis and one of our members has been schooling us on gyoji history, costumes, naming practices and such

[@calilady951]

Hiro, I really appreciate how much information you are giving us about Sumo. The gyoji spoke in hushed tones, just like a priest. Beautiful calligraphy. Creativity and insight in choosing your Sumo name. But his "real" job is to referee a wrestling match? Mind blown. The Japanese make everything an art!

[@xxxqwertxxx]

I enjoy the behind the scenes content. Thanks, Hironoumi!

[@Tastychronicles]

OMG, arrigato very much Hiro-san. I am happy that the gyoji was featured in Sumo Prime Time. This is the very best original content on KZbin. I learned a lot more about sumo. #1 Yay!

[@christofferthorsson607]

This was very informative. I've always seen the gyoji as something in the background so very interested to learn more about them. Crazy to hear that 30 years still isn't enough to referee the top division. Suppose that shows just how serious they take it. Wish the best of luck to Kimura Chishu, he seems very passionate and professional so hope to one day see him in makuuchi Quite impressed to learn that the bansuke is written by the gyoji. With how small some of the symbols are I assumed they had to be printed. Also did not know that the gyoji were considered priests during the ceremonies. Makes me wonder, are they actual priests, taking care of temples and such when not attending to the tournaments? Or is it more of a carry over from the religious roots that they are considered priests?

[@CarlLovesTopps]

This was one of my favorite episodes so far. I was very curious about the calligraphy during the makuuchi introductions.

[@jimmygriffiths]

Thank you for working so hard on this channel everyone! This was a great episode. It has been a real pleasure to see Hiro and put a face to the voice I have been listening to for years!

[@violetto]

As someone who has always been fascinated by people's different styles of handwriting, the banzuke section of this video was very interesting. I didn't know why the calligraphy looked so unique. Even though the lines are thick and blocky, it still looks elegant!

[@africankungfunazis920]

Please more content! I'm addicted.

[@SoberOKMoments]

It's hard not to notice the Gyoj in their beautiful clothing. Happy here to learn even more about them. Thank you.

[@erikadarling2050]

The gyoji costumes have fascinated me. I am so glad to know more about these essential men.

[@Brad_Burge]

I can't be the only one that made an internal comment about the tate-gyoji having the dagger to "willing take his life over a bad decision" and the amount of times the current one makes mistakes right?1?

[@doreikishi3958]

True, the current Shikimori Inosuke is far from flawless (to say it in the kindest way possible), but of course the dagger (Tantō) is just symbolic nowadays and they don't actually commit suicide when doing a false decision. However, it is expected from tate-gyoji to offer their resignation instead when doing so, which however is denied by the council most of the time. A good indicator that the current Inosuke isn't really shining is that he has been the "lower tate-gyoji" for over four years now without being promoted to Kimura Shonosuke, the upper tate-gyoji rank. In fact, there hasn't been an upper tate-gyoji in sumo since 2015 by now. I'm actually quite interested who will eventually become the next Shonosuke. I could imagine either Kimura Tamajiro, Kimura Shotaro and of course Kimura Konosuke to reach this rank (not sure about Kimura Yodo however because he is only slightly younger than Tamajiro and will retire shortly after him), but it will probably not be until 2025 until we see the next one (Tamajiro) and he will most likely only be Shonosuke for two or three basho since he is bound to retire by the end of 2025 due to reaching the maximum age of 65.

[@bgb702]

Free Jason!

[@suttonsplash14]

RIP Jason’s All Sumo Channel

[@jacobstoddart266]

Very interesting to see the determination of the Tate-Gyoji with the dagger. I never would have noticed that.

[@koreykrabbenhoft1273]

That was good, could you please do a interview with Kotoeko.

[@lordjimbo2]

3:02 - I'm completely in favor of this for football playoffs.

[@celiagillars2376]

My mans sumo name is literally "like and subscribe", I adore it. Godspeed, Hironoumi!

[@yuliiamartova3018]

Thank you for the video !!! Gyoji is a difficult and responsible job. Next time I watch sumo, I will look closely at Gyoji! Very nice name you received !! I am sure because of this name your channel will flourish more ❤

[@gka4976]

Thank you, Hironoumi! Please do one more video with more detail on how the gyoji's get trained and promoted to their higher ranks. Also, do they live in heyas?

[@reinea.7632]

Great video about so important actors of Sumo. Thanks a lot Kimara Chishu-San, you are a so kind and inspiring Gyoji!

[@jansonyork8255]

I feel Chishu's ring name he gave you has worked! I was drawn to this channel and all these amazing videos!

[@Music.cigars.2024]

We may pay attention to the gyoji during each bout but we would like to know more about them and what they do. This video is a good introduction to what they do and how important they are. Maybe more future videos on gyoji please HIRONOUMI

[@vigaprimuz]

You truly are spreading Sumo around the world with your hard work, I am from Iceland and because of access to Sumo through channels like yours i now tune into every Basho and watch with great interest, thank you for your very informative videos. ill leave you with a poem from Hávamál: Deyr fé, Deyja frændur, Deyr sjálfur ið sama, en orðstír deyr aldrei hveim er sér góðan getur. Sumo Primetime!

[@resonantmoonaudio]

I love learning more about the people around the Rikishi. Can't wait to see if there is content about the yobidashi.

[@antaeushohepa3927]

Tenaa koe e HIRO MORITO🎉!! (Salutations from AOTEAROA NZ). The soul of Ozumo is in your voice. The GURU of Sumo Your an amazing ambassador for the humble great nation of Japan which I love ❤. I share with all my family & friends. Alohanui

[@Normandy1944]

This is an episode I have yearned for. Insight I've always had been so curious about, much I've know of. There is a Jonidan gyoji who we (on Leo Dickinson Sumo) have dubbed Bruce Lee. He has a very sharp pre tachi-ai pose when he is set for the match and crisp commands. He looks like Bruce Lee getting ready to fight. He'll be one to look for in the future.

[@LauraJdogmom]

Is that the kid who practically does the splits?

[@garygruber1452]

With all due respect, I would choose another name for your favorite gyoji. The Japanese have a long standing hatred for the Chinese, based on the events of World War II.

[@Normandy1944]

@@LauraJdogmom Yes, exactly

[@Normandy1944]

@@garygruber1452 Ya know, I should have considered such since I study WWII. Actually it goes way back before that, hence the Divine Wind (kamikaze) where a Chinese invasion force was destroyed by a storm off shore in the 13th century. Please join us for the next basho and lets come up with a more appropriate name at Leo Dickinson Sumo.

[@novrinkov0053]

@@Normandy1944 It is Mongolia that was hit by the storm. Koreans and Chinese were certainly there as minions of the Mongols. And it was only after losing the battle that the storm destroyed it. They landed in Japan and lost many battles. They was in a storm on the way to retreat after being defeated. They didn't lose because of the storm mongolian simply lost many battles to the samurai.

[@SaltyZendar]

This is great stuff, I love hearing more things about what these people do not just in the ring, but out of it. I'd love to see more of what the other assistants do, such as the sweepers or the ones who work behind the scenes!

[@wrisky]

A most excellent look into the wider world of Sumo, TYVM.

[@creamteam499]

I can't believe I missed this video! Very good informative and well filmed and narrated as always😁🤘🏻Love Sumo Prime Time🔥

[@hugotabellion9759]

Great behind the scene content ! Sumo fans loves that Gyoji ! Go Hironoumi !

[@JorgeLourenco000]

Being a Gyoji must be nerve wrecking. Glad to have a better insight on their job.

[@jeckles]

This has becomes such a fun channel and a neat way to see some of the aspects of this detail oriented culture

[@KplusJinJapan]

Fantastic episode! This is why I really appreciate this channel - so much fascinating information about parts of the sumo world that we never really get to hear about otherwise. ありがとうございます！

[@chwhite6886]

This is my favorite video by you so far! Thanks again; loved meeting you at Hakuho's danpatsu shiki!

[@martincolvill5453]

This was a fun and informative video! Thank you, Hiro san.

[@tales2797]

Thank you for the great sumo content 😸

[@leocapella7134]

Great video and incredibly fitting shikona. Huge respect to all of the gyojis who took part in the video and the other ones that officiate etc.

[@Detroit_Desu]

This was such a cool video, thank you Hiro and Kimura Chishu for showing us a behind the scenes look at the Gyoji and what they do and how they do them !!!

[@GonatellosunZan]

Thank you for this video! Me and my girlfriend recently got into watching the May Sumo tournament and we are addicted to it. Definitely fans and we love to learn more about all things Sumo. This was very interesting about the Gyoji and we will definitely keep our eyes on them more on the future and not just the Rikishi. Once again, thank you for introducing Sumo wrestling to a wide range of people across the world! Your work is appreciated.

[@orlandofurioso7958]

Kintamayama now has a Rumble channel.

[@thomaslaurent2714]

I think the video camera person should do more close ups of the Gyoji and their elaborate uniform. They are awesome!

[@armandopierregauland5316]

Great content!!! Thanks, Hironoumi. Greetings from Brazil!!

[@gabrielcasiquito9988]

I think you are very fantastical Thank you for Sumo Primetime I like the bouts and learning about the Warriors.

[@BigFloofyCat]

Love me some Sumo Prime Time!

[@tammydove8182]

Really interesting. I love learning about sumo!

[@dumbcow1]

Awesome to see an episode on gyoji!!!

[@4g4m3n0n]

Hironoumi, very nice name, I love it! The Gyoji costume was the most intriguing part of sumo to me even before I had a way to see the full matches. Who were these guys? Why and what were they yelling? So many questions. And the elaborate costumes only made it more intriguing. Great respect for them and the work they do.

[@yorkshirepudding9860]

The outfit suits you Hiro!

[@Music.cigars.2024]

HIRONOUMI congratulations 👏👏🎉🎉 that's a blessing

[@dougler500]

I love the sort of ritual of writing in Japan. So slow and deliberate. Better to get it right to look good and mean what you want than to get it down fast and messy. Shows respect to the language and the written word.

[@nuusgtattoo25]

I look forward to watching each and every call, as I’m SURE you are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure your international fans can watch…. The Sumo.

[@Shaso1000]

Love your videos!

[@Furlop]

omg, I thought Kimura Chisu was going to write "Please Like and Subscribe" in calligraphy but Hironoumi is also good!

[@user-hj5nr3wy5w]

Great video, very interesting.

[@MrGreickz]

I love Kimura Konosuke. Best gyoji ♥️♥️

[@GrumpyGrobbyGamer]

I love it Hironoumi-san!

[@negative754]

Great video Hiro! I was hoping you would explain the differnce between the Kimura and Shikomori style gyoji, maybe next time.

[@SpaceCat82]

good luck with your channel, hironoumi-zeki!!!

[@aszechy]

This was really interesting. I wonder what they do in the time between tournaments?

[@DanielGonzalez-mx2lq]

Stable dutys my friend

[@aszechy]

@@DanielGonzalez-mx2lq Can you please specify? I don't think they referee the practice bouts, or do they? And the housework is mainly handled by the junior rikishi - I can imagine the junior refs pitching in but hardly the senior ones...

[@sumokittens9783]

They practise their calligraphy, learn how to fall off the dohyo with dignity (very important forTategyoji) and eagle-eyed Konosuke practises how to hunt for lost slippers without loosing sight of his wrestlers. Why is everybody so impressed with the current somewhat hyperactive Kimura Konosuke? I mean he is my favourite too, with Chishu a close second.

[@johnisaaco8795]

Thank you for the story about the non rikshi. I also liked the one about the singers making the dohyo. I am curious about who and why people join sumo to not be a rikshi

[@omfgacceptmyname]

great!

[@Rquilter1962]

Gyoji - best dressed referees in any sport.

[@colinmathie2710]

Would be cool if you could try and make what he wrote into a permanent thumbnail for the channel.

[@LauraJdogmom]

Great information. You look good in the gyoji outfit. How do the gyoji get recruited? I know they start young, but are they usually people who love sumo but aren't big or skilled enough to be rikishi?

[@rosewalsh1255]

Very interesting. The gyogi you featured said that he worked at the juryo level. What would he have to do or what would have to happen for him to be a gyogi in the makkucchi division? Also, how does a young man interested in becoming a gyogi start the process? How long before they are allowed in the ring solo to referee matches?

[@kochiyama]

I think Hiro's shikona in kanji is 飛呂ノ海 ? Any kanji experts care to correct me? I'm kindergarten-level at recognizing kanji when they're printed out clearly on a computer screen, and the sumoji style of calligraphy, while indeed very dynamic and attractive, isn't exactly helping my character recognition skills. I had to search jisho for 呂, literally never seen that one before, but it looks like the best match. At first I thought it was a weird sumoji'd ろ 😂

[@sumokittens9783]

Great shikona yourself, full marks for the kanji effort.

[@Griff10poldi]

It’s not surprising if you see it that way, because the kana ろ is derived from 呂

[@koji_h]

Thanks, Hironoumi

[@LucidFlameX]

Hironoumi, eh? I love it.

[@auntsasalili]

Who makes their costumes? What are they called? Are they hakima? I love the brocades. Are the non-traditional fabrics sponsors' logos, like a big "D" repeated on one of the gyoji ?

[@w0197]

飛呂ノ海 yokozuna of KZbin!

[@DasHobble]

I wish I could have seen your smile when you were pronounced to be Hironoumi

[@Snowkitty1424]

Hironoumi 😍🥰

[@alex_med]

Hironoumi 😍

[@may_laytrucker3127]

Thanks hironoumi

[@Rsama60]

I would like to know the criteria for the Gyoji promotion. How di they move up the ranks?

[@MusicMike939]

This was great. Sumo judges never make mistakes. If only the nfl could be half as accurate...

[@CC-cn9rv]

Please remove your strikes against the English language youtube channels Jason and Natto

[@LauraJdogmom]

Why are we still complaining about NHK here? Sumo Prime Time isn't made by the NHK.

[@GenericWhiteMan00]

I would have like to learn more as to how they are trained and promotion requirements for each rank.

[@mxyzptlk3825]

Haha, Hiro probably older than this man, but he played role of apprentice quite well :)

[@vita123abc]

Hironoumi!

[@vicktormarlenko2119]

😁👍👍👍👍👍

[@Thejoeb]

Hakkeoi!

[@mariofernandez2587]

In bashos I can see all gyojis are... of a certain age. In comparison with other sports, referees have to retire before a given age, but in sumo it looks like a requirement.

[@augustinep6193]

Hironoumi, good.

[@mehmetsahsert3284]

my question is what is are the words some gyoji rapidly say when a match begins untill it ends and what do they mean. are those words a culturualy and religiously meaningfull words or simple words

[@Alex-gc7yv]

Hironoumi！

[@andrewcomments5812]

Kimura Konosuke for tate-gyoji!

[@SonofSkyrim01]

Flying gyoji is the best in sumo 🤣