Hello and welcome to the History of Japan podcast episode 5 579, The Kings of the Ring, Part 6.

It always struck me as a bit odd that one of the most modern locations in Tokyo is so intimately associated with the ancient tradition of the Yokodzuna.

You see, Meiji Shrine in the heart of Tokyo is one of the most scenic and beautiful parts of the

whole city.

It's this gorgeous park with a massive and beautiful shrine nestled into it, a place I've

seen, with good reason, described as an oasis of calm in the hectic central parts of Tokyo,

evoking this wonderful sense of timelessness and

ancientness in the middle of the modern heart of the nation's core.

Which is why it's funny when you tell people, Meiji Shrine is in fact one of the

newest religious institutions in Tokyo.

Construction didn't even start until 1915, and it took until 1920 to finish, which means

Meiji Shrine itself is just over 100 years old.

And that makes it kind of ironic that today, one of the most storied rituals associated with

one of the most ancient ranks of Sumo has become indelibly associated with

the city's newest major Shinto Shrine. You see, at some point, and I have found differing

answers as to win and why, it became a part of Yoko's Na promotion to do a special Dohyo

Iri, a ceremony for entering the sumo ring, at Meiji Shrine.

Twice a year, there are special dojo-Iri done by active Yoko Zuna during the New Year's

Festival and the Autumn Harvest Festival. In addition, the very first doho-yri a Yokozina ever does

is done at Meiji Shrine.

Of course, it doesn't take much to see why Meiji Shrine has this special privilege.

It is, after all, the spiritual resting place of the Meiji Emperor, who at least symbolically speaking is one of the most important figures in modern Japanese history.

...