Yobidashi (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The yobidashi (announcer or beckoner) calls a professional sumo wrestler, or rikishi, to the dohy (wrestling ring) immediately prior to his bout. He does this by calling the name of each wrestler fighting in turn whilst holding a traditional folding fan. The outfit worn by the yobidashi is loosely based on an old style Japanese workman's outfit, with leggings and split-toed tabi-like boots. In keeping with their workman outfits the yobidashi are actually the Sumo Association's handymen, or odd-job men, and have a wide variety of tasks. These include on match days: sweeping the ring, providing purification salt and ensuring that during a bout no wrestler injures himself on the bucket of chikara-mizu (power water) situated at one corner of the ring. They also can be seen displaying the advertising banners of companies who sponsor particular match ups between popular wrestlers. They also are responsible for playing drums outside the arena (traditionally to attract customers) on match days.