Even a precious drinking session with Ooyama stablemaster…! “The Allure of Sumo” That Captivated “Honjama-ka” Member Hidehiko Ishizuka

Sumo is a sacred sport

Hello, everyone. Am I the only one who truly wishes that shaved ice would fall from the sky? I’m Hidehiko Ishizuka.

In this article, I’d like to write about “Grand Sumo,” which I love so much. My first encounter with sumo was back when I was in elementary school. It all started when I watched sumo broadcasts on a 16-inch TV.The yokozuna were incredibly strong, and whenever one lost, cushions would fly through the arena. Kitano-ko had a large butt and thighs, and his skin was so smooth and glossy that his body looked just like a May doll.

Next came the “Wakaki Era.” The brothers, whose father was former Ozeki Takanohana, joined their father’s stable, transforming their father-son relationship into a master-apprentice one, and eventually giving rise to the “Brother Yokozuna.” They went on to defeat Chiyonofuji, the wrestler who had prompted their father to retire. Back then, Wakaki gave people dreams and hope.I imagine many people became sumo fans because of Wakanohana and Takanohana.

However, the appeal of sumo lies not only in its wins and losses or its stories. As former Yokozuna Takanohana often says, “Sumo is a sacred ritual.” Sumo is not merely a sport—it is a sacred ritual.In fact, there are several sumo tournaments dedicated to the gods, such as the Ise Grand Shrine Dedicatory Sumo Tournament and the Yasukuni Shrine Dedicatory Sumo Tournament. I’ve never heard of an Ise Grand Shrine Dedicatory MMA tournament or a Yasukuni Shrine Dedicatory Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament.

And—about 25 years ago, when I was appearing on a morning talk show, I received a fax.

“I was on the Shinkansen platform with my mother, who was in a wheelchair, when a sumo wrestler came over and picked up my mother, who is a huge fan. After that, my mother was able to stand up again.”

That was the gist of it. In other words, sumo is a sacred ritual, and sumo wrestlers are regarded as “god-like” figures. I’m sure you’ve all seen this scene a few times: a mother holding a baby on the street asking a sumo wrestler, “Please hold this child so that it grows up strong.” They’re practically gods.

Sometimes, for some reason, a mother spots me and says, “Please hold this child.” Every time that happens, I ask, “Um, I’m not a sumo wrestler, but is that okay?” just to be safe, and then I hold the baby. I really hope the child grows up strong and healthy.

Out for Yakiniku with Ooyama-oyakata

As I became more and more fascinated by sumo, about five years ago, I was finally given the opportunity to have a meal with a sumo wrestler. It was Kitakatsufuji, a former komusubi from the Hachioji stable. I love sumo, but since it was my first time dining with a sumo wrestler, I instinctively went to an ATM to withdraw some cash (laughs).

At his suggestion, we headed to a yakiniku restaurant in Roppongi. Being the worrier that I am, I arrived early. Just then, a sound like someone beating a huge Japanese taiko drum echoed through the air: “Boom! Boom! Boom!”

When the door to the room opened, there stood Kitakatsufuji—184 cm tall and weighing 159 kg—bowing his head at the exact same angle he uses when stepping onto the dohyo. The sound I’d heard earlier wasn’t a Japanese drum at all—it was the sound of his footsteps.

I’ve had the pleasure of sharing drinks with him several times since then. He sweats no matter the season, drinks Calpis mixed with milk before starting on the sake, and neatly lines up his empty sake bottles on the counter after finishing them.

There are countless stories I’d like to share—like the time I thought he was picking his teeth with a toothpick, only to realize he was eating kushikatsu—but suffice it to say, he is a man of the utmost courtesy. With a record of 424 wins and 368 losses, he shaved his head this past May at the age of 33. He says he gave it his all and has no regrets.

Formerly Kitakatsu Fuji, now Ooyama Oyakata. We hope you’ll continue to send strong and polite sumo wrestlers onto the dohyo.

From the September 25, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*