Grand Sumo (Ōzumō) is considered the national sport of Japan. Therefore, the winner of the top division championship receives a lot of trophies as tokens of recognition from the highest public figures of Japan but also from foreign States as diplomatic gifts. Companies also offer trophies as a show of goodwill in support of the national sport and as part of partnerships. The reward ceremony is however on the decline. In recent years, several controversies have led some companies to withdraw their support by withdrawing a trophy that had previously been awarded. Notably, the 2010 baseball betting scandal brought an end to the collaboration of a number of companies.[1] However, the recent scandals are not entirely responsible for the decline of the award ceremony. The ceremony itself is held after NHK's live broadcast of sumo matches and therefore does not attract much attention. Even though prefectural governors and chairpersons of organisations appears, only about 30% of the audience remains for the awards ceremony. The arena is often deserted and applause are sparse.[2]
However, the awards ceremony retains a strong symbolic value. In sumo, a promising wrestler who is the center of the stable is called a yome-bitsu (米びつ), meaning "breadwinner", because if he wins one of the tournaments, he receives enough extra prizes to keep the stable fed for a year or more.[2]
Trophies are usually exhibited in the entrance hall of the tournament venues.
Makuuchi's prizes are presented to the wrestler who achieved a championship win on the last day of one of the six main tournaments. Trophies are presented with handwritten victory certificates and supplementary cash prizes. With the increased number of prizes, the reward ceremony takes around 40 minutes to complete. Trophies may vary slightly by location, such as from the host municipality. In addition, since women are not allowed on the dohyō, only men can give the rewards.[3]
The Emperor's Cup and the Japan Sumo Association championship flag are returned by the winning wrestler himself at the return ceremony held after the ring-entering ceremonies on the first day of the next tournament. In addition, as a general rule, the master of the stable in which the winning wrestler belongs will act on his behalf if the wrestler cannot return it due to being kyūjō or retiring before the next tournament is held.
If a wrestler in injured during the tournament but still manages to win, there is an example in which an oyakata or wakaimonogashira accompanies the winner because there are worries whether the wrestler can receive the trophy alone. This was the case for Chiyonofuji in the March 1989 tournament.[4]
In July 2010, following the baseball gambling scandal, the Sumo Association refused to award any prizes with the exception of the winner's flag and special prizes, in the form of taking responsibility for the turmoil[1] and in 2011, the March tournament was cancelled and reclassified as a "Technical Examination Tournament", and no awards ceremony was organized.[5]
The presentation of the Grand Sumo trophies follows a meticulous protocol. After the last match on the last day of a tournament (senshūraku), the winning wrestler returns from the shitaku-beya in mawashi, a commentator then announced to the audience that the awards ceremony would begin with the Japanese national anthem. The national anthem is often played by military bands (Ground Self-Defense Force, Maritime Self-Defense Force, Air Self-Defense Force) or by the municipalities hosting the tournament (Tokyo Band, Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra).
At the end of the anthem, the commentator finally announces the wrestler's full shikona name and proclaims him the winner of the tournament. As a first step, three prizes are then awarded to the winner. The first trophy awarded is the Emperor's Cup by the JSA chairman. This particular trophy is presented on the theme of Act 3 of George Frideric Handel's Judas Maccabaeus ('See the Conquering Hero Comes!').[6] Then, the JSA championship flag is awarded by the chairman of the JSA judging department and the Prime Minister's Cup is also awarded. The champion is then interviewed at ringside by an NHK commentator. After the interview, the main part of the awards ceremony takes place in the following order: diplomatic, municipal and corporate trophies and, for special tournaments such as the first or last of the year, special trophies such as the trophy rewarding the wrestler with the most wins in the year or the best makuuchi newcommer.
After the main trophies have been awarded, the chairman of the JSA judging department awards the sanshō prizes to the wrestlers who stood out during the tournament that has just ended.
After the awards ceremony is over, it is customary for the tournament to end definitively with a god-sending ceremony (Kami okuri no gi, 神送りの儀). In this brief Shinto ceremony, a sanbon jime is performed to announce the tournament definitively closes. A low-ranking gyōji holding a gohei is then thrown into the air by low-ranking and maezumō wrestlers.[7]
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded since | Note | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Emperor's Cup Tennō shihai (天皇賜杯) |
A silver trophy of 1.08 m (3 ft 6+1⁄2 in) tall and weighing 29 kg (64 lb). The chrysanthemum symbol of the Imperial family is carved on the trophy. The kanji for shihai (賜盃), meaning "gifted trophy", a traditional phrasing for a trophy bestowed by the emperor, are carved in the trophy. Its handles are phoenixes and the base of the trophy is filled with engraved plates with the name of the winning wrestlers of the past tournaments. 78 wrestlers can complete one round, once a round is filled the plates are removed and added to boards exhibited near the trophy in the Kokugikan.[8][9] | Japan Sumo Association chairman (rijichō) in the name of the Emperor of Japan | 1926
|
Emperor's cups are trophies bestowed by the Imperial Household Agency to organizations that manage competitions, and serve as proof of imperial recognition, giving authority to the competition. First awarded to Yokozuna Tsunenohana in January 1926, because of the merging of all the independent sumo associations into one entity. First known as "Prince Regent Cup" as Emperor Shōwa granted the trophy during his regency.[10][8] |
Active | |
The championship flag Yūshōki (優勝旗) |
The flag is purple, because the colour symbolises strength, and is embroidered and fringed in gold. It bears the cherry blossom mon of the Japan Sumo Association in its middle and features the kanji for yūshō (優勝, 'victory'). | Japan Sumo Association's Judging department chairman | 1909
|
Introduced with the 1909's tournament reform creating the yūshōkishu system. Highest trophy awarded to wrestlers before the introduction of the Emperor's Cup. Held by a flag bearer (usually a high-ranking makuuchi wrestler from the same stable or the same ichimon) during the winner's parade after the tournament. The championship flag is the only trophy awarded in the name of the Association, along the sanshō prizes. |
Active | |
Prime Minister's Cup Naikaku sōri daijin-hai (内閣総理大臣杯) |
A wide silver trophy weighting 40 kg (88 lb). | Cabinet of the Government of Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary or Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (usually) Japanese Prime Minister (sometimes)[1] |
1968
|
Prime Minister's cups are trophies awarded by the Prime Minister's cabinet to organizations involved in sports competitions.[11] | Active |
Some states directly sponsors trophies in professional sumo. Usually those trophies serves to mark a diplomatic anniversary and are awarded once or a few time before disappearing. However some states have a long tradition to award trophies.
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded since | Note | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
French–Japanese Friendship Cup (and giant macaron) |
A cup with two phoenixes serving as handles. The trophy is also accompanied by an emblematic inedible macaron coming in three colours: green, pink and gold. The macaron is measuring 41 cm (1 ft 4 in) in diameter and 23 cm (9 in) in height and is designed by French pastry chef-chocolatier Pierre Hermé.[12] | French Republic | 2008
(2011 with the macaron) |
Comes with a luxurious box of 22 real macarons, wrapped in gold paper.[12] | Active | |
President of the French Republic Cup | Striated porcelain vase, measuring 34 cm (1 ft 1+1⁄2 in) in diameter and 66 cm (2 ft 2 in) in height. The vase is gilded with fine gold, with a 24 carat pure gold circle chamfered on the upper part of the vase, symbolizing a rising Sun. Made by French painter Pierre Soulages and executed by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres.[12] | French Republic | 2000
|
Known informally as the "Jacques Chirac cup" (japanised as "Shiraku cup"). Created after a French ambassador to Japan suggested to Jacques Chirac, a known sumo fan, to have a trophy made by Pierre Soulages. Awarded for the first time at the July 2000 tournament. Now exposed in the French embassy in Tokyo.[12] | Inactive | |
United Mexican Friendship Plaque | Represents an Aztec calendar. | United Mexican States | 1981
|
Awarded since the visit of a Japan Sumo Association delegation of 110 people to Mexico in 1981.[13] Comes with a year supply of Corona beer.[14] |
Active | |
Cup of His Highness | A big dallah coffee pot. | United Arab Emirates | 1979
|
Awarded by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan during an official visit in Japan in 1990.[15] Comes with a year of gasoline. |
Active | |
Chiang Rai Elephant trophy | A Thai elephant statue made of fiberglass. Patterns on the statue are drawn by local artists in Chiang Rai, to reflect Thai and Japanese cultures. On one side of the statue Rama's monkeys are wrestling each other under a cassia tree, Thailand's national tree. On the other side of the elephant, two sumo wrestlers bout each other under a Japanese cherry blossom tree.[16] | Kingdom of Thailand | 2022
|
The design was chosen because of the Chiang Rai Elephant Foundation, a charity creating elephant statues and working on the preservation of elephants in Thailand.[17] Awarded to celebrate the 135th anniversary of Thailand-Japan diplomatic relations.[16] Comes with a supply of Chabaa Bangkok fruit juice or Singha beer. |
Active | |
Thai–Japanese friendship trophy | Kingdom of Thailand | 2017
|
Created to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Thailand-Japan diplomatic relations.[18] | Inactive | ||
Hungarian Friendship (tea) Cup | The tea cup measures about 45 cm (1 ft 5+1⁄2 in) high with a capacity of approximately 15 liters. The cup is made by the Hungary-based Herend Porcelain Manufactory.[19] | Hungary | 2019
|
Awarded to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Hungary.[19] Comes with a tea set made by the Herend Porcelain Manufactory. |
Active | |
Hungarian friendship cup | A 1.17 m (3 ft 10 in) high pot made by Herend Porcelain Manufactory.[19] | Hungary | 1986
|
First awarded during the 1986 January tournament by the Hungarian People's Republic. The trophy continued being awarded after the country was democratized in 1989.[19] | Inactive | |
Czech crystal cup | A Czech crystal hand-cut cup made by the Moser glass company. It weighs 15 kg (33 lb) and measures about 70 cm (2 ft 3+1⁄2 in).[20] | Czech Republic | 2004
|
The Czech Republic have awarded a sumo trophy since 1970.[21] Comes with a year of Pilsner beer. |
Active | |
Czech crystal bowl | A Czech crystal hand-cut bowl weighting 14 kg (31 lb).[22] | Czech Republic | 1970
|
The bowl have been replaced by the current cup in 2004.[23] | Inactive | |
Mongolian Prime Minister's award | Three bökh wrestlers holds a 12 litres silver gilt cup. The original trophy was made with 12 kg (26 lb) of solid silver and 500 g of pure gold. | Mongolia | 2003
|
Also known as "The wrestlers who fought for three hours" Cup (Гурван цагийг билэгдсэн бөхчүүд).[24] In 2022, following the meeting between Mongolian-born yokozuna Hakuhō and Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, it was announced the trophy would serve as a gift to Hakuhō who recently retired.[25][26] Since March 2023, a new trophy has been awarded. It is however identical to the previous one (although silver) and has the same name. | Active | |
Mongolian Prime Minister's award | A trophy resembling a column. | Mongolia | 1998
|
Inactive | ||
Only in Tokyo | ||||||
Chinese Embassy Award | Trophy made using colored enamels held in place within partitions formed by metal strips or wires, the process being repeated to fill in the gaps left by shrinkage during firing. This technique is emblematic of the Jingtai era, hence the nickname of the trophy "China-Japan Jingtai Blue Cup". | People's Republic of China | 1980
|
Awarded in memory of the past links of sumo in China.[27] Comes with a supply of Shaoxing wine. |
Active | |
United States President's Cup | A silver trophy of 1.37 meters tall and weighing 30 kg (66 lb). The trophy is toped by a bald eagle.[28] | United States of America | 2019
|
Only awarded in May. First awarded by president Donald Trump in 2019, hence its nickname of "Trump Cup".[29] |
Active | |
Cup of the Bulgarian government | A silver trophy made by bulgarian artist Stavri Kalinov . The trophy height is about 75 cm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in), decorated with roses, the national flower of Bulgaria, on hanging ribbons. It is also decorated with gold leaves. | Republic of Bulgaria | 2012
|
Comes with a supply of Bulgarian wines.[30] | Active | |
Italia Hatsubasho Award | A glass plate made by Venini.[31] | Italian Republic | 2023
|
Active | ||
Japan–Italy 150th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Award | Italian Republic | 2016
|
Special prize offered in collaboration with the Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham Consortia on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Japan.[32] | Inactive | ||
Japanese–Israel Friendship Trophy | A shofar horn. The trophy is supported by a pedestal made of Israeli olives and iron resembling a cherry tree. | State of Israel | 2023
|
The trophy was created by Ohad Sheinwald, an Israeli artist living in Japan. Comes with a supply of Kfar Bin Nun wine and dates.[33] | Active |
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded since | Note | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miyazaki Governor's Award | A trophy in the shape of an beef dressed for a contest. | Miyazaki Prefecture | 1986
|
The trophy is presented in cooperation with the Council for Better Miyazaki Beef Promotion.[34] Comes with a Miyazaki beef carcass and a ton of seasonal fruits and vegetables.[35] | Active | ||
Fukui Prefectural Prize | A trophy filled with red pickled plum. | Fukui Prefecture | 1986
|
Comes with one year's worth of umeboshi as Fukui is the largest plum growing area of Japan.[36] | Active | ||
Nara Prefectural Governor's Award | The trophy is a bronze statue of a sumo wrestler. It was created based on the mosaic wall painting of the former National Stadium of Nara-city. The pedestal is decorated with a Nara traditional lacquerware craft and with patterns inspired by the Shōsōin treasures. It is 84 cm (2 ft 9 in) high, 5 cm (2 in) wide and weighs 15 kg (33 lb).[37] | Nara Prefecture | 2014
|
The wrestler on top of the trophy is Nomi no Sukune because Nara Prefecture is where Nomi no Sukune and Taima no Kehaya are said to have fought. Therefore, Nara Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of sumo. The trophy was originally intended to be awarded at every Tokyo tournament but was later awarded at other honbasho during the 2020s.[38][39] Comes with a supply of vegetables for chankonabe. |
Active | ||
Only in Tokyo | |||||||
Tokyo Metropolitan Governor's Award | A lion statue on top of a wooden box. The statue is made of bronze and weighs around 25 kilograms.[40] | Tokyo Metropolitan Government | 1981
|
Nicknamed the "Lion Warrior Statue", the trophy was designed by Kitamura Seibo, an honorary citizen of Tokyo.[40] | Active | ||
Fukushima Governor's Award (and 15 kg (33 lb) tawara straw bag of rice) |
The trophy weighs about 15 kilograms, is about 6 cm (2+1⁄2 in) high and 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in) wide, including the zelkova base. An Akabeko carries a golden rice bag on its back.[41] During the award speech, it is accompanied by a tawara bag of rice. | Fukushima Prefecture | 2013
|
Also known as the "Akabeko Trophy", because of the red cow legend of the Enzō-ji temple of Yanaizu in the ninth century. The trophy became awarded as a communication plan to ensure the safety of Fukushima's products following the nuclear accident of 2011.[42] Comes with 1 ton of local "Ten no Tsubu" rice. |
Active | ||
Only in Osaka | |||||||
Osaka Prefectural Governor's Award | Tall trophy toped with the symbol of the Osaka prefecture. | Osaka Prefecture | 2019
|
Comes with an assortment of products sponsored by several local businesses (such as sake, miso, caramelized rice, pork buns, dashi, monaka bean paste sandwichs, soy sauce or brown sugar).[43] | Active | ||
Osaka Governor's Award Plaque | Wooden plaque with a metal dohyō ring and roof on its center.[44] | Osaka Prefecture | 2011
|
Inactive | |||
Osaka Mayor's Award | A victory flag. | Osaka-city | A ton of Naniwa Ward traditional vegetables.[45] | Inactive | |||
Osaka Mayor's Award | The trophy is a ranma carved wooden panel of Osaka Castle.[46] | Osaka-city | Inactive | ||||
Wakayama Prefectural Governor's Prize | A negoro-nuri lacquered large sake cup | Wakayama Prefecture | 2008
|
Comes with a selection of fruits grown in the prefecture.[47] | Active | ||
Yuasa Mayor's Award (and fermentation wooden barrel) |
The trophy is a custom made glass mug with a soy sauce barrel design. It is accompanied by a wooden barrel in which soy sauce is traditionally matured.[48] | Yuasa-city | 2011
|
Comes with a year of soy sauce as Yuasa-city is the birth place of soy sauce in Japan.[48] | Active | ||
Matsue Mayor's Award | Matsue-city | Comes with 1 ton of yamatoshijimi, a special product of Lake Shinji.[2] | Inactive | ||||
Only in Nagoya | |||||||
Aichi Prefectural Governor's Award (and bouquet). |
A tall trophy with a lacquered green cup. | Aichi Prefecture | 1985
|
Comes with an assortment of products sponsored by several local businesses:[49]
The bouquet is awarded because Aichi Prefecture is also known as the "Kingdom of Flowers", being the leading flower producer in Japan since 1962.[50] |
Active | ||
Nagoya Mayor's Award (Makuuchi) | A silver cup supported by golden shachihoko shaped after the golden roof ornaments of Nagoya Castle. | Nagoya-city | Comes with a piece of so-shibori dyed fabric for yukata and heko obi from Arimatsu.[51] | Active | |||
Nagoya Mayor's Award (Jūryō) | A greenstone trophy with four shachihoko back-to-back. It is a reference to the roof ornaments of Nagoya City Hall.[52] | Nagoya-city | This particular trophy is not awarded to the top division champion, but to the jūryō division champion. Comes with a year of kishimen noodles.[51] | Active | |||
Only in Fukuoka | |||||||
Fukuoka Prefectural Governor's Prize | Fukuoka Prefecture | Comes with a year supply of agricultural products (strawberries, ariake seaweed, chicken and rice).[53] | Active | ||||
Fukuoka Mayor's Award | Small sumo wrestler with a keshō-mawashi on top of a wooden base. The trophy weighs 25 kg (55 lb).[54] | Fukuoka-city | Trophy made to look like a Hakata doll.[55] Comes with a year supply of mentaiko | Active | |||
Fukuoka Mayor's Award | Samurai equipped with a spear drinking with a sakazuki on top of a wooden base. | Fukuoka-city | 1998
|
Only awarded in November 1998 and 2020. The trophy is based on the emblematic statue of Mori Yoshinobu near the Hakata Station. Mori Yoshinobu (nicknamed Mori Tahei) is a famed samurai retainer of Fukushima Masanori. He is known for his resistance to alcohol and for being the owner of the Nihon-gō spear , one of the Three Great Spears of Japan.[56] |
Inactive |
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded since | Note | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ōita's Shiitake Agricultural Cooperative Award | A transparent cylindrical trophy filled with shiitake mushrooms. It weighs 21 kg (46 lb). | Ōita Prefecture's Shiitake Agricultural Cooperative | 1979
|
Each mushrooms are hand-turned so that their top faces outwards. After the awards ceremony, they are brought to the preparation room, removed from the trophy and packed in a plastic bag for transportation.[57][58] | Active | |
Japan Airlines Award | Japan Airlines | Inactive | ||||
Pan American Airlines Award | A huge globe weighting 42 kg (93 lb) for a size of 1.30 m (4 ft 3 in).[59] | Pan American World Airways | 1961
|
Even after the company withdrew from the Far East route in 1985, the trophy continued to be awarded until the summer of 1991 when the company went bankrupt.[60] | Inactive | |
NHK Gold Cup | Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai | 1955
|
A glittering gold cup that imitates the "Gold bronze eight-fold long cup", one of the treasures of the Shōsōin house. Created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the start of broadcasting.[61][62] | Active | ||
Championship portrait | A replica of a framed portrait of the winning wrestler. The official portrait is 3 m (9 ft 10 in) high, 2 m (6 ft 6+1⁄2 in) wide, and weighs about 80 kg (180 lb). The official portrait is then hang on top of the arena in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan. | Mainichi Shimbun | 1909
|
The display of the championship portraits at the Kokugikan began in 1909 as a project of the Mainichi Shimbun. During the war, the project was suspended but resumed in 1951. Colour photographs were originally made by colouring photographs with oil paints until 2014, when colour photographs began to be used.[63][64] | Active | |
Ōzeki award | A large silver sakazuki. | Ōzeki Brewery | 1958
|
It is customary for the winning wrestler to drink celebratory sake with this big sakazuki cup.[1] Ōzeki sake began to present a supplementary prize to the winning wrestler at the Osaka tournament in 1900. Today's trophy is awarded since 1958.[65] Comes with a supply of Ōzeki "ONE CUP" sake. |
Active | |
Coca-Cola Award | A silver cola bottle. | Coca-Cola Japan | 1965
|
Inactive | ||
Baume et Mercier Award | A trophy with the picture of a watch. A phi letter (Φ) is on top of the trophy because it's the symbol of the Baume et Mercier company. | Baume et Mercier Japan | Inactive | |||
Hokuren Award | A bronze owl trophy. | Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives | 4-ton of different agricultural commodities (milk, cheese, potatoes, asparagus, etc...)[2] | Inactive | ||
Taisei's Runner-up Award | A kabuto with a large crescent crest. | Taisei Corporation | Awarded as a second prize to the wrestler achieving a junyūshō. | Inactive | ||
Only in Tokyo | ||||||
Tokyo Shimbun award | A wooden plaque with the kanji for victory (優勝) and two sumo wrestlers fighting. | Tokyo Shimbun Sports | Active | |||
ZEN-NOH Award | The trophy is a bronze statue 1.1 m (3 ft 7+1⁄2 in) high and weighing 25 kg (55 lb) representing a sumo wrestler carrying a bag of rice on his back.[66] | National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations | 1978
|
Comes with 30 bales of rice, 1 ton of meat and fruit | Inactive | |
TCCI Chairman's Prize | The trophy is a kumiko lamp, an upright rectangular wooden structure equipped with a lighting system. | Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 2012
|
The trophy was designed by Tokyo-based firm Tobi[67] and made by Tanihata.[68] | Inactive | |
Shizuoka Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Promotion Association Chairman's Award | A conical trophy with a golden top and a silver base engraved with waves. | Shizuoka Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Promotion Association | 1988
|
Came with a year supply of tea. Awarded during the Tokyo tournaments from 1988 to 1999.[69] | Inactive | |
Bovet Award | A clock hosting a small watch, mounted on a red base.[70] | Bovet Fleurier Japan | 2006
|
Inactive | ||
Only in Osaka | ||||||
Yoshimoto Kogyo Award | The trophy is a calligraphy painting representing the kanji 笑, meaning laugh.[71] | Yoshimoto Kogyo | 2012
|
Trophy awarded to commemorate 90 years of cooperation between the company and the Japanese sumo association. Yoshimoto Kogyo had a history of sending comedians to the tournaments venues and making donations during the pre-war Osaka-sumo era.[72] Comes with a free annual pass for the Namba Grand Kagetsu Theatre. The trophy is usually awarded by entertainment celebrities. |
Active | |
Tozai-kai Championship Flag | A championship flag | Japan Sumo Association's East and West Association (tozai-kai) | A trophy awarded by an organisation of patrons of the Osaka sumo tournament founded in March 1937.[73] Members of the tozai-kai are recognizable by the brown happi they wear ringside.[74] | Active | ||
Japan Mint President's Cup | A cup with dragons serving as handles. The cup is supported by pieces calling back the colour tassels of the suspended roof above the dohyō. | Japan Mint | 1996
|
First awarded at the March tournaments of 1996 and 1997.[75] The winning wrestlers also receive their portrait engraved in a copper plate one year after the tournament.[76] | Active | |
Only in Nagoya | ||||||
Chunichi Shimbun Award | A huge cup lifted by three sumo wrestlers. | Chunichi Shimbun | The trophy is awarded because the Chunichi Shimbun co-hosts the Nagoya tournament.[77] | Active | ||
CBC TV Award | A golden shachihoko shaped trophy like the emblematic roof ornaments of Nagoya Castle. | Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting | Active | |||
TTB TV Award | A silver cup with golden shachihoko serving as handles, shaped after the golden roof ornaments of Nagoya Castle. | Tōkai Television Broadcasting | Active | |||
Mikawa Beef Welfare Council Award | A trophy in the form of an unadorned ox statue. | Mikawa Beef Welfare Council | 2023
|
Awarded for the first time in July 2023, with the aim of promoting Aichi Prefecture's "Mikawa beef" more widely.[78] Comes with 50 kg of Wagyu beef.[79] | Active | |
Only in Fukuoka | ||||||
RKB Mainichi Broadcasting Award | A large cup resembling a sakazuki. | RKB Mainichi Broadcasting | Active | |||
Yamecha Tea Promotion Association Award (and green box) |
The trophy measures approximately 1 m high and weighs 20 kg (44 lb).[80] Presented with a green box. | Yamecha Tea Promotion Association | 1983
|
Comes with a supply of Yamecha tea.[81] | Active | |
KBC Award | A red cup with golden kanji reading yūshō (優勝) written on it. | Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting | Inactive | |||
WHITE HORSE gifts | A box of 3 magnum size bottles of scotch whisky. | White Horse Japan | 1983
|
Inactive |
With the last tournament of the year, the Japan Sumo Association have a tradition of awarding special prizes for the wrestlers who have the most victories in the year. Trophies are also awarded by sports magazines as part of a sponsorship and to show the value of sumo as a sporting competition in its own right.
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded since | Note | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nishinippon Shimbun Award | A large silver trophy with a height of approximately 98 cm (3 ft 2+1⁄2 in), a maximum diameter of approximately 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) and a weight of more than 20 kg (44 lb). Originally, the names of the wrestlers who won the trophy were on plaques attached to the foot of the trophy but this is no longer the case. | Nishinippon Shimbun | 1957
|
Awarded to the wrestler who has won the most wins of the year.[82] | Active | |
Hochi Wrestler of the Year Award | Small silver trophy with an eagle on top. | Hochi Shimbun | 1958
|
Awarded by a committee based on the quality of sumo, the number of wins among others. Decided at the end of the year but awarded on January of the following year.[83] Although it is sometimes confused with the "Nishinippon Shimbun Award", the two are completely different rewards as the Nishinippon award does not take into account the content of the sumo wrestling and winners will be determined solely by the number of wins. |
Active | |
Best Makuuchi Newcomer Award | A plaque with an eagle resembling a special prize plaque. | Chunichi Sports & Tokyo Chunichi Sports | 1964
|
A trophy awarded among the makuuchi newcommers, given to the wrestler who showed the best performance throughout the year. Newly-arrived rikishi from the previous year who have been in the makuuchi for less than two tournaments are also eligible for the award. If there is no suitable candidate, the trophy is not awarded.[84][85] | Active | |
Raiden Award | A wooden plaque with a length of about 8 cm (3 in) with a black handprint.[86] | Yomiuri Shimbun | 1955
|
Established to commemorate the publication of the magazine "Grand Sumo" and the serialization of the novel "Raiden" by Ozaki Shirō (1898-1964). Awarded at the end of the year to the wrestler under sekiwake with the most wins in makuuchi. Named after Raiden Tameemon, it's the only trophy to bear the name of a wrestler. It ceased to be awarded in 1965.[86] |
Inactive |
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded since | Note | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All Japan Rikishi Championship's Chosen Badge[87] (and championship banner) |
A golden plaque made in an arm band | Meiji Shrine | Only awarded during a Meiji Shrine sponsored exhibition event (Meiji Jingu Annual Festival Celebration) at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in October. | Active | ||
Fuji TV trophy | A silver trophy with a little gunbai on top of it. | Fuji TV | Only awarded during the Fuji Television Grand Sumo Tournament event at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in February.[88] | Active |
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded since | Note | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bercy sumo tournament award | A small cup. | Mayor of Paris | 1995
|
Awarded to Akebono during an exhibition tournament at the Bercy Accor Arena in Paris.[12] | Inactive | |
Korean Grand Sumo Tournament award | A celadon vase | Mayor of Seoul | 2004
|
Awarded to Asashōryū during the first exhibition tournament held in Korea since the end of World War II at the Jangchung Arena in Seoul.[89] | Inactive | |
Beijing Grand Sumo Tournament award | A golden eagle. | Mayor of Beijing | 2004
|
Awarded to Asashōryū during an exhibition tournament at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing.[90] | Inactive |
Photo | Name | Description | Awarded by | Awarded in | Note | Status |
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Dohyō King Statue | The statue represents a large number "63" surrounded by 12 dolphins in the shape of an unfinished ring. A plate on the pedestal reads "Dohyō King". The trophy measures 8 cm (3 in) in length and 7 cm (3 in) in width, and is said to be made of duralumin, gold, silver, and platinum. Produced by Miyata Ryōhei, president of Tokyo University of the Arts and member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council.[91] |
Yokozuna Deliberation Council | 2011
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Awarded to Hakuhō acknowledging his achievement of a 63-bout winning streak, the second highest in sumo recorded history.[91] | Inactive | |
Morinaga's Wrestler of the Day Award | Three wrestlers are selected daily by a majority of the popular vote. Each wrestler receives a cash prize and toffee sweets.[92] | Morinaga & Company | 1951
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Morinaga began awarding a popular prize in 1951, making it one of the first companies to award a prize in modern sumo history.[92][93] The prize was however interrupted in 1985 with the Glico Morinaga case and between 2020 and 2024 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[92] | Active |