| Description | Tokoyo style Tatami broom from the 2025 Sumo Wrestling tournament .
This broom was used to sweep the thin layer of sand, called 'snakes eye' sand, which covered the wrestling ring. Footprints left by the wrestlers or rikishi in this sand are often used to help determine the outcome of a match. It is an integral part of the ring attendant's or Yobidashi's job to carefully sweep the area with a broom like this before each bout.
These brooms also served a ceremonial purpose. During the ring entering ceremony or dohyo-iri which took place before each day of the tournament , a small amount of water would be ceremonially sprinkled all over the surface of the wrestling ring or dohyo with a watering can and methodically swept with this broom.
This broom was manufactured by Araki Tokizo Shoten in Tochigi Prefecture. In the past, broom making was a popular side-job for farmers living in the Tsuga area of Japan, but nowadays Araki Tokizo Shoten is the only manufacturer left there. The process involves boiling and drying the broomcorn, soaking it in water and then weaving it over a period of a week. |