Sumo wrestling has been played since the Nara-Yamato period. Professional wrestlers appeared in the Muromachi period and sumo being performed for religiuos charities had been very popular during Edo period.
In old times sumo matches called "Kajinzumo" took place on ground of shrines or temples in order to collect the funds to affored the shrines/temples construction or reparation.
In sumo wrestling they're are referees who's role in the matches is to make sure no foul play is at hand and to direct the referee's fan to the winner after a match if there is no protest comming from the ringside judges he will confirm the judgment by declaring vthe winners name. There are houses of referees but all I could find about them is the names of two houses they are Kimura and Shikimori.
A dohyo is a place where a sumo match occurs officially it has a circular form wich is 455cm in diameter. It is made up of sand wich was traditionally coverd by four-pillared roof modeled on those of religious buildings. The practice of wrapping these pillars in green, red, white and black was initiated in the spring of 1858.
Each colour represents one of the four seasons: green for spring the east and Seryu the green dragon, red for summer the south and Shujaku a mithical bird, white for autumn the west and Byakko the white tiger.
In this time period there is a lot of foreners from places like canada and the USA you name it that have gone and went to japan and became sumo wrestlers.
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