What is the National Sport of Japan?

Japan has been a country enriched with history, culture, and tradition. It is equally famous for its sports, some of which stand distinct. When we refer to the sport of Japan, it would mean some sport that is deeply rooted in the country's culture and widely recognized by its people. So, which would be the national sport of Japan? Sumo wrestling is the answer. However, Japan also happens to be the homeland for many other premier sporting events like Judo, Karate, and Kendo, which are in great admiration and followed today by millions across the globe.

Sumo Wrestling: A Japanese National Game

Sumo wrestling, or simply "sumo," is more than a sport for Japan; it is a tradition dating back more than a thousand years. Sumo has been called the national game of Japan because of its identification with the cultural identity within this country. This is a sport between two large wrestlers who work inside a circle. Therefore, essentially, one has to try to push one's opponent somehow out of the ring or make him touch the ground with any part of his body other than his sole.

Why Sumo?

Sumo wrestling in the country of Japan was engendered by a great spiritual and religious tradition. This was a religious rite born for the joy of gods and Shinto deities for good harvest, yet it went through evolution over the ages into a professional sports game. Complex old and original traditional elements were, however, conserved in sumo wrestling. For instance, before each combat/match, there exists this ritual dance of the wrestlers before each fight, sprinkling salt into the ring for purification purposes, and clapping hands to invoke the gods.

Sumo matches—"basho"—come six times a year and are incredibly popular in Japanese culture. The wrestlers train in "stables," where they live and practice together; adhering to a strict regimen that includes specialized dieting, called "chanko nabe," in order to gain weight.

Famous Sports from Japan

Although Sumo is the national sport of Japan, it has also been the motherland of other forms of martial arts that have gained much fame all over the world. Taking a closer look at some of them:

Judo

"The Gentle Way" was devised in Japan in the late 19th century by Jigoro Kano. This, unlike Sumo, is all about the leverage and technique applied and not about size and strength. It became an Olympic sport in 1964, and today it is practiced all over the world. Aiming at throwing or takedown of an opponent to the ground, to immobilize him, or to force him to submit by the application of a joint lock or choke is what Judo is.

Karate

Karate literally means "empty hand," and it is another invention originating in Japan, particularly from the island of Okinawa. Much focus was placed on striking; thus, karate includes punches, kicks, and knee strikes. It characterizes, just like judo, discipline and respect and the concentration of the mind to the practitioner as it spread all over the world. First included as an Olympic sport in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, it made its mark in this event.

Kendo

Translated literally, "the way of the sword," it is a Japanese martial art consisting of some fencing with bamboo swords, known as "shinai." It does not require simple physical strength but aims at mental toughness, too. Stemming from the Japanese tradition of samurai swordsmanship, students don protective armor and seek to strike certain areas of their opponent's body easily and gracefully.

Aikido

Aikido is a method founded in the early part of the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba, based on the concept "the way of harmony with the spirit". Basically, most of the applications applied are techniques of throwing and joint locks unlike other techniques applied that involve striking. Basically, what differentiates it is the protection of the life of the attacker and also the life of the practitioner. Therefore, this way is considered as a peaceful method of martial art.

Japanese Sports and Its Influence Globally

This influence, however, doesn't remain within Japan. The impact of these sports is seen today by millions around the world who practice martial arts like judo, karate, and kendo. Students learning such sports train their bodies but more importantly their mental strengths and the virtues of discipline and respect towards others. For instance, students of karate show respect and humbleness towards their instructor and fellow mates by bowing in front of them before and after practice.

Most of these Japanese arts, therefore, still are in practice in most countries as martial arts schools or "dojos" where most of the local traditions and practices are entwined with them. Philosophies of these Japanese martial arts, e.g. self- control, perseverance, and respect, are relevant to people with other cultural backgrounds and hence they spread globally.

Love for Other Sports in Japan

Not only the traditional forms of martial arts that have blossomed there, but other sports have also been adopted from in and taken over from the West. One outstanding example would be the gained use of baseball as a tremendous sport; in fact, there is a professional league that gets big audiences. Implemented as far back as late in the 19th century, it has been only a national pastime since, where many Japanese players move on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball in the United States.

Another game that, in the previous years, was among the pursuits of the majority of Japan's sports fans is soccer, or football, after this country shared host status with South Korea in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The Japanese national soccer team, more popularly known as the "Samurai Blue," had become quite potent in international competitions.

Olympic Sports

The Olympics have a very vast history in the country and have also been hosted in the same on four occasions in history: first in Tokyo in 1964, the second in Sapporo in 1972, and third in Tokyo again in 2021. The Olympics had popularized several sports in the country of Japan, and rich performances were turned in most of the time in disciplines like judo, gymnastics, and swimming.

History of Sports in Japan

Understanding why sumo is Japan's national sport requires learning a little about the history of sports in the country. Japan has an extremely long history, spanning thousands of years, and sports have invariably formed a part of that history.

Traditional Japanese Sports

Long before the appearance of soccer or baseball, or other Western sports in Japan, the country had its own traditional sports. Some of them still exist in modern times: martial arts such as judo, kendo, and karate. Actually, this is not quite sport, since all these sports were aimed at developing character, discipline, and respect for others. Parents are still happy to send their children to such sports schools, as they hope that the disciplines learned there will benefit their lives.

How Sumo Became the National Sport

Sumo wrestling is one of the oldest sports practiced in Japan, with a record of more than 1,500 years. From religious ceremonies to entertain gods to its later version as a means to train warriors, sumo became, on its journey through time, more organized with rules and regulations to turn it into a competitive sport. It finally attained the status of a national sport because of its richness in history and culture. Thus, sumo wrestling is the national game of Japan when people ask, "Which is?"

Sumo: The National Sport of Japan

Now that we already know the national sport of Japan, let us focus on sumo wrestling. It is a game or sports event wherein two inflatable oversized and powerful wrestlers fight in a round/circular ring known as a "dohyo." The objective is to either push your opponent out of the ring or make him touch the ground using any part of his body except the soles of the feet.

The Rules of Sumo

The rules of sumo wrestling are pretty simple but highly adhered to. These are rules the wrestlers—in other words, the "rikishi"—should not break. An excellent example would be not being allowed to pull opponents' hair, punch, or jab their eyes. In fact, the match can take only seconds, although those seconds are so full of strategy, strength, and skill.

Sumo's Cultural Significance

Sumo is way more than a sport; it is part of cultural events. Traditions include entry rites into the ring, purification of the ring by throwing salt to drive away evil spirits, and clapping their hands to attract the attention of gods. It's what makes sumo more than only a game and turns it into the essence of Japan's cultural heritage.

Now, thinking about which, remember that the reason sumo stands as the national sport of Japan is not because of the simple fact that there is competition. It is popular because it shows respect, discipline, and many other very important values in Japanese culture.

Other Popular Sports in Japan

While sumo is the national sport, many other popular sports can be found in Japan. For instance, baseball is huge with many players and viewers for this game. Soccer, basketball, even tennis are also participated and enjoyed.

Baseball and Soccer in Japan

Baseball was introduced into Japan in the late 19th century, and it soon displaced sumo wrestling at the top of the sporting tree. Nowadays, with professional baseball leagues, matches watched by millions, soccer, too, gains popularity, especially after Japan co-hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2002.

What Makes Sumo Special

While all these sports individually are very popular in their own right, Sumo stands out because it is uniquely Japanese. Deep roots in Japan's history, its rituals, and being a part of traditional ceremonies have set Sumo apart from other sports. For that matter, whenever one asks, "Which is the national sport of Japan?" it would be sumo.

Conclusion

Sumo wrestling is the kind of response heard from people when they ask, "Which is the national sport of Japan?" All the way up to ancient times, it is a sport tangled with deep intertwining of roots involving Japanese history, culture, and spiritual practice in a whole identity piece. Japan has really been the homeland for other very famous martial arts, such as judo, karate, kendo, and aikido, the latter having huge impacts not only in Japan but worldwide. The richness of the contribution to sports that Japan has given the whole world, through sumo, among other types of sports, even boasts of a national sport that is raucous with influences that span as far as possible and hit into practices of today. Knowing what they mean in Japanese culture gives a window to open onto this special heritage of the nation and a special relationship with physical and mental discipline that passes from child to parent.

FAQs

What is the national sport of Japan?

The national sport of Japan is sumo wrestling. This ancient and traditional sport is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history, making it a significant part of the nation's identity.

Why is sumo wrestling considered the national sport of Japan?  

Sumo wrestling is considered the national sport of Japan because it has been a part of Japanese culture for over a thousand years. It originated as a religious ritual and has evolved into a professional sport that still maintains its traditional and cultural significance.

Besides the national sport of Japan, what other sports are popular in the country?

In addition to sumo wrestling, which is the national sport of Japan, other popular sports in the country include judo, karate, kendo, baseball, and soccer. These sports, particularly judo and karate, have gained international popularity and are practiced worldwide.

How does sumo wrestling, the national sport of Japan, differ from other martial arts like judo and karate?

Sumo wrestling, the national sport of Japan, differs from martial arts like judo and karate in its focus on physical size and strength, with the goal of forcing the opponent out of the ring or onto the ground. In contrast, judo and karate emphasize technique, leverage, and striking, making them more about skill and strategy rather than sheer physical power.

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