Hey Vice, next time you wanna protect their identity, can you not include shots of their face/hair/cloths like at all? no matter how blurred they are i'm sure those they fear can really put two and two together.

Why do you show his eye during the interview if you are trying to protect his identity? This was very upsetting to see since you said he specifically requested "anonymity to speak freely about the issue". That shot of his eye is enough to identify him.

Sumo is a very closed sport, everything is done within their system. That sort of dynamic is going to make it very easy for abuse to foster.

The street sumo was a really cool guy. I hope it works out for him

I would guess that the declining number of wrestlers is mostly due to the general rise of living standards in Japan. Sumo basically offers wrestlers food and lodging plus some pocket money, and a small chance at big money (if you make it to the top) - if you're from a poor background, that can be really attractive even if the lifestyle is harsh; otherwise, not so much. Easier to recruit in Mongolia these days...

Absolutely in love with Gocchanko! The guy has such a positive attitude and love for the sport even in spite of his unfortunate injury (he's got some killer rhymes too!). Would have been great to see commentary from more rikishi/stables but knowing Japan it was probably exceedingly difficult to even get this level of intimacy. Regarding the declining interest in the sport, I think the younger generation is now experiencing the same fallout that foreign talent had ~30 years ago (theres a reason we no longer see many Hawaiian or western wrestlers like back in the day). Simply put, if you're built for sumo it's much easier to go into rugby, football, basketball, etc. and make 10x as much money for much less hardship. Undoubtedly this trend will continue as the JSA is a shining example of stubborn Japanese bureaucracy. They will eventually cave and make the necessary changes but by then the sport will be a shadow of what it once was. All that said, I'm still looking forward to the day sumo is willing to make changes for the benefit of the viewers and sport as whole!

That street sumo guy is extremely charismatic and extroverted, he’d have a good career as a actor

Ask for face to be hidden Vice: I will show enough but not enough

11:17 someone get this man in a recording studio, seriously

As much as I really love watching sumo since I was a kid when I lived in Japan I agree there needs to be changes to keep the wrestlers training safe from abuse. I don’t want sumo to die out, it’s a part of Japanese culture & should remain as such.

Reporter did awesome job. She showed good sport by participating and experienced the subject.

Former rikishi here, foreign born. Sumo is a sport that in many ways is disconnected from the world we live in, dedicating your life to it is accepting you are stepping into a world centuries behind our own. In some ways it allows you to foster a sense of strength, courage and duty. On the other it becomes hard, sometimes unbearable to see what that hierarchy does to people and the unrestrained power some have over others. Sumo is a dog eat dog world, and only the strong control what happens, anyone beneath is simply a stepping stone to greatness, or another lackey to hurt as you please. I still love sumo dearly and its a part of who I am as a person, not to mention a martial artist, but unless you are prepared to risk your life, your sanity and your future, stay away.

i love how gentle the retired sumo wrestler is, reminds me of when my friends wanted to see some karate and I tried my best not to kick them. So much respect for that guy

Some of it reminds of growing up playing football (american). It's nearly a religion in the South and the mental/physical punishment could be intense. You experienced this from elementary school to however far you made it.

Gochanko, the street sumo wrestler that was interviewed, is also a... I guess you'd say a call boy. You can make appointments with him for some 18+ non-sumo activities. He sells himself as specializing in making older women feel young again. That info was found a while back, and passed around some of the sumo fan Discords. He has a KZfaq channel now, too. Seems like a cool guy!

I agree with his opinions on training hard. In combat sports, learning to remain calm in a violent atmosphere is important

Much respect to these men.

holy shit the way that 230 lb guy through that 400 lb man on his back was very impressive. Used his own mass against him

Lost it when he started screaming "hernia" ! 🤣🤣🤣

The "wild street sumo" guy is massively entertaining, he would do great as a street performer in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

Excellent piece! While I was in Japan, sumo (along with puroresu and NPB) was one of the shows that filled my TV time because it is something that I could enjoy even without understanding the language. Thank you for this deep dive, Hanako! And you even beat a former sumo wrestler while you were at it! 😅

I enjoyed this report but there really isn't much coverage of "the dark side" (beatings & murder).

Its difficult keeping up a sumo career, especially for the little guys on the totem pole.

I had Chanko with Konishiki in Tokyo once. An experience I will never forget.

5:18 my brother used to beat me with hangers to take his anger out when I was little. Its like feels very similar to getting whipped with a thin belt or switch.

Anything related to caste, sempai-kouhai hierarchy in japan it's always involved with abuse, harassment, and bullying. It's not public secret it's just on their DNA and part of their identity and culture. Japanese sacred cultural concept WA - maintaining the harmony.

I really think Sumo is an amazing sport. I hope it can return to prosperity.

9:28 11:17 is lit 🔥 Someone should form band with him. Imagine going to concerts and lit up the audience with 11:17 as opening song.

11:18 Yo that hernia scheme in my guys freestyle was incredible

I think anyone in sports can tell you, no matter what their national culture; that wrestlers of any form are a unique breed, even among other athletes in combat sports, in that their humor, and their anger, is more "physical" than that of any other sporting culture. The hazing, bullying, and other abuse that has gone on in sumo over time reflects that; and to lump it into an amorphous, catch-all heading of "violence" is an imprecision that detracts from the otherwise correct aim of eliminating the worst forms of that abuse. Also, bear in mind that nearly everyone in governance positions in the NSK (sumo's governing body), from Chairman Hakkaku on down, has at some point before fought as a rikishi; and as such are imbued with that wrestlers' culture of strenuous, ceaseless training, brutal physical sparring, and rigidly enforced internal hierarchies. To oversimplify a bit: sumo is the world the rikishi, past and present, have themselves made; and they rule it in their own image. This does not negate all criticism; but any criticism that lacks this essential context (+ the context of post-war Japanese socioeconomic culture) is going to be misaligned with even the noblest goals of said criticism. It's also worth discussing how the sumo world has been buffeted by both scandals of the last decade and the pandemic's long dark shadow; neither of which are addressed in this report.

Who else noticed the awkwardness they felt while they were eating chanco nabe... 😂😂

12:30 I wouldn't be surprised if the main reason that fewer young people are starting sumo is just that as a society, body-image is becoming more of issue young people are conscious of as they are constantly faced with tons of beautiful people on social media. I'd imagine it's tough convincing a teenager to put on MORE weight at a time when they might be at their most insecure with their bodies.

I was never a fan of the hazing and abuse that sometimes occurs in sumo. It’s one thing to push each other in training but hitting because someone did something wrong or something you didn’t like isn’t it. Also, I have that Hernia song stuck in my head now. 😆

Harumafuji was a good man who shouldnt have been forced to retire. On the list of abuses in sumo he is by far the lowest offender and shouldnt even be considered as such

Any combat sports are very TOUGH for anyone, who does it only for money and prestige. From these kind of peoples perspective, its really a abuse and challenging thing Sumo can be. In fact, Sumo wrestlers have very comfortable stable and supports from Assocations are top tier level. Pro Sumo wrestlers live in their stable and created very close family-like environment, where they live like a actual family and everyone assigned to certain task outside of trainings. Of course high ranking wrestlers do the house boss role and low rankers or newbies do the cooking, laundry and cleaning, because only high ranking wrestlers earn money and support stable financially. Because they are very top tier athletes of sport with 150 years of history, rules and cultures of it are absolute. I have seen a documentaries of Hakuho, Asashoryu, who have really loved the sports and told their hardships that they have endured to reach Yokozuna title. According to them they have also regularly beaten up by their seniors and did all the house jobs. Difference between them and these given up Sumo Wrestlers is that Hakuho and Asoshoryu truly loved the SUMO from their heart and enjoyed their every single moment spent in stable. They did not really take the beating as abuse or punishment, but as a training, which is actual idea of Sumo culture. Even I was very happy for them and loved also Sumo since then. Sumo wrestlers are absolute beast, nothing compared to other athletes. They eat enormously and can drink up to 10 bottles of whiskey like drinking soft drink. I happen to be a person, who has once gone to party with them(Literally I have drunken with Hakuho and other Mongolian Sumo Wrestlers along with other people). What I am trying to say, is that we normal non Japanese or non Sumo Wrestlers cannot understand their culture. I would not say this kind of things are dark sides. its actually perfectly normal for any other sports, where millions of dollar worth athletes involved. When first time Hakuho arrived in Japan, he was 50kg and 15 years old. His stable was so shocked and expecting a large man over 90kg, cause Hakuho's father is a legendary wrestler in Mongolia. So the stable master did not let Hakuho do anything, not even house jobs. But instead he has spoiled Hakuho over 2 months, by feeding him with a lots of food, sent him to amusement parks. Hakuho of course was very disappointed and ashamed, cause his other friends were doing harsh trainings and doing all house jobs. So he insisted his teacher to let him do something. But his teacher gave him some pocket money and said "don't disturb us, go eat some ice cream". After 3 months, Hakuho gained 30kg and was finally ready to begin his life as a Sumo wrestler. It was a very touching and lovely story, which is exactly opposite of this program. Of course after he strated the training, he then began to get beaten up and treated as any others in the house. Fun fact: Hakuho met his wife through Asashoryu, when Hakuho was not Yokozuna and Asashoryu became recently. So they were celebrating Asashoryu's title party and ofc many beautiful girls(mostly models) invited to the party for obvious reason. So hakuho's wife was meant for Asoshoryu🤣

Sumo is a hard ass sport.. you need to be a real tough guy to do that. Sumo is no joke. Big guys, big muscle, big weight, high skill.. if your not tough your not gonna make it. Sure there's been abuse. There's been abuse In every sport.. and still is. hazing in US sports is still happening.. glory isn't given.. abuse is abuse though.. this is the world we live in though.. all sports are controlled by very few wealthy people. Good people or bad people.. they are all wealthy

Or you could just not participate in sumo wrestling. It’s like joining the military and then crying about going to war.

The hernia song.....I felt the pain in my balls

It’s almost as if the world forgets a little over a hundred years ago, the Japanese were still carrying swords and practicing formal suicide. The Japanese are noble and militaristic in heart and soul.

I don't understand why almost every time Vice makes a video on Japan you get reactionary weeaboos in the comment section who don't understand that Japan isn't a monolith. No wait I do understand.. They watch a lot of anime and assume that every Japanese person they'll come across will be named Naruto.

In my opinion , japanese people are less interested on sumo wrestling because of the westernization of their society (excuse my english , I am french)

Rapping sumo dude is my hero.

See u may get a situation where the Master simply does not like a particular student for whatever reason or reasons and then the bullying starts

I honestly think whenever You have a bunch of men in any enviorment especially athletic men this sort of thing will happen

You know, back when I was watching Viva Piñata, I thought sumo wrestlers are kinda like soft gentle giants who don’t easily get triggered by even the most jarring offenses, since every move Fergy made on the sumo hippos seems to not offend them. I guess even in a country that is supposed to value honour and discipline, every sport profession carries a dark side…

In other sports, if you fail to make the cut into the professional rank, usually you still ended up with athletic body, which might help in getting other jobs. This one, doesn't.

I think sumo as a sport would benefit mainly from 2 things. Opening up the training culture and making it more transparent. And this is my opinion, establishing weight classes. Yes one thing is understanding that you need certain type of physique to practice certain sports. But in todays healt oriented society, basically implicitely expecting extreme obesity and shaving of 20 years off of your life span. For a petty penny is a big commitment.

My question has always been: If Rikishi as famous and influential as Chiyonofuji really stood out do to their preseverance and overcoming of challenges through sheer physical strength, that showed itself in his mucho more athletic and muscular body, why didn't that caught up as a trend in the world of sumo? I know sumo is different from other fighting sports since there are no weight classes and the heavier you are, you have the best chance at not being thrown around, but if Chinoyofuji disproved that, I don't see why sumo still get that fat. And yes, yes, I know they're not fat like your average morbidly obese person since it's mostly subcutaneos fat, but still. I feel like if Rikishi had more aesthetically pleasing physiques, much more people would be attracted to the sport, not just in Japan, but world wide. Rikishi would also suffer less from the disseases and injuries of the obese person and they would be able to make much more money, since more audiences means more flows of cash.

One line in and the puns start. Beautiful.

before i continue to watch this @vice id like to note that by showing his blurred face ya put him at risk. yall know they can get someone to clear that blurriness up.

Still a giant as far as a betting sport goes. Yakuza def have a large hand in the pocket of Sumo.

Two sides to everything.

I feel very bad for gochanko

the decline of sumo means decline of japanese culture and traditional values globally, sadly. this sport is like a living museum of history... that's why it's so important to maintain integrity rather than saving face of individuals who are merely a cog in the wheel at the end of the day. I understand the fraternal nature but people must remember you're selling sumo to outsiders, why does it matter to protect your own so much if it harms public perception? unless they want to appeal to the type of person who sees the incentives behind misbehaving and being able to get away with it. they must commit to one or the other. clearly old traditions are difficult to keep relevant in modern day as they include practices and rituals that we consider taboo now, such as the treatment/exclusion of women or violence as a language of dominance. japan must decide whether to fully commit to the tradition and firmly plant there, or if they want to reform and modernize in order to attract a newer more sensitive generation who have more concern for others than themselves at times. sumo will survive and even flourish if they fully commit to one of the other, I'm sure, but the in-between only serves to alienate supporters of both philosophies. those who want to conserve and maintain will be upset that the organization is indecisive about right vs. wrong, and those who want to change the sport and make it less grueling physically will be upset that the organization doesn't change enough. i have learned the importance of balance in life, but there is also an importance in lack of balance occasionally and I think this would be one of the scenarios where hard-lining to either side would be more beneficial than floundering with no meaning behind your words. i think sometimes it's impossible for the west to understand the code of honor baked into japanese society, and this has a lot to do with why sumo is falling also. sumo has been dishonored and it immediately becomes uncomfortable to associate with. young japanese are gravitating more toward team sports these days because there is more value to gain, both as an individual and as an athlete. parents see the harm sumo causes but they see their national soccer teams in stark contrast and it becomes clear that one route is much more productive and healthy for a person than the other. it is 2024 and i have just now gotten interested in sumo because of a youtube channel called Sumo food. the reason is because the entire stable comes off as sensitive and cuddly. they may not be that way when the cameras are off, of course, but to me this is the most transparent depiction of sumo lifestyle in a well-respected and highly esteemed stable. what they are doing, is great for the sport in so many ways but moreso for the japanese traditions. it is attracting a lot of westerners and with western interest comes more sponsorship opportunities. maybe this will take some pressure off enough to start scaling back the yakuza connections since it's simply financial in nature. if the stables can all make youtube channels eventually for additional income i think there would be less problems. right now it is just a lot of pressure, especially with the economic downturn in japan recently. it becomes easier for someone with honor to do something dishonorable when they feel they're backed into a corner.

That guy's going to get his ass kicked when he get back they know exactly who he is..🤦‍♂️

Does anybody know that chant he’s doing sounds like “hiro…” something over and over. Very cool.

And vice did a poor job of hiding his face, if I were in the circle, I would be able to identify him through this poorly blurred profile and mannerism of speech.

I'll watch anything that starts "The dark side of..."

WTF? You showed the man's unblurred eye and the silluette of his face? Someone's bound to recognise him!

Hakuho definitely laid down the law.

didnt mention the Hibikiryu, the rikshi who died in the ring last year, kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bdJzZMmJycezfYE.html didnt mention what happens when a rikshi wants to retire and gets nothing, banning and gambling,

Abusing people is never ok but then again the greatest warriors in history where trained using the most brutal methods.

So, boxing and MMA is less dangerous? Is that right?

Every vice story I’ve seen is based on a an interview with someone blurred out and they’re voice changed

This is OLD news bruh... THe Mongols made sumo better

Training hard and recreating fight conditions in training is one thing, but beating teammates with weapons for minor slights? That's just toxic

Why was there no further mention of kid who was beaten to death at the stable?? Why not ask those who diminish the violence directly about specific incidents??

damn vice the way you are blurring his face is still very clear....blur it more!!

Sumo: guys can u call John Cena I want to a S A F E meeting;))))))

This "documentary" hardly establishes that violence is a serious problem in Sumo. Really seems quite tame.

Mr Kodai is such a down to earth person. I wish him nothing but the best, I hope he's doing better now

I just started getting into Sumo around the time of the January 2020 Hatsu basho, which was won by the lowest ranked Maegeshira, M17, Tokushōryū. I wish I would have gotten into it a lot earlier so I got to see great rivalries like Ashashoryu vs Hakuho.

When you stated that has been decreased young men to join the sumo sport. But Japanese birth rate has been decreasing.

Violence has always been an integral part of the sport, and training, which leaves the answer to these controversies fuzzy. How far is too far? Who decides that, and by what standards? Clearly these athletes at some level feel like it was a formative part of their training and discipline. Others might simply say they weren't disciplined enough, and may even proudly have a claim to being treated worse. These are the hard questions one has to answer when talking about such an old and holy tradition. In addition, the sport itself in practice is extremely violent compared to other combat sports, the forces and strains being placed on their bodies is far greater than any other combat sport, are they not taking that risk by participating in the first place?

that was extremely interesting I learned a lot! Thank you.

the big guy is really well spoken

respect for Sumo and its practioners

I run 30 minutes and my ankles hurt already. These guys workout leg day and arm day for hours a day. I just wanna. One major injury and these guys are done that’s how dangerous this sport is because at their weight it’s impossible to fully recover unless u drop down to your normal body size again.

man sega needs to put the street sumo guy in a yakuza game dude's already in kabukicho, for chrissakes also vice more sumo content please/thanks

"Someone was beaten up with hangers" - sounds like a normal childhood story to me lol

Declining number of Sumo wrestlers due to them interviewing with Vice's "AnoNyMiTy" camera crew and editors.

Why dont you add English subtitles?

Look I see we’re you are going mame, but this is a combative hard violent sport. This is the attraction. to the great sport of Sumo “survival of the fittest”. I feet the stablemaster is just weeding though the weak athletes who wish to be in Sumo, their is no have measure in Sumo you either do or don’t. I never really followed Sumo until the Covid lockdown was in forced. I live in California where our Governor took it to far. Since my first Sumo torment in 01/20 I haven’t stopped following this great pastime of Japan. I even have a favorite Takakeisho who just won this last Sunday 2023 January first torment of the season. I believe he is related to the retired Sumo Wrestler that you interviewed on your show. May God richly bless everyone ✝️🇯🇵🇺🇸.

beautiful documentary

Not to self : wear a fucking ski mask when vice promises confidentiality

Violence is inherent in combat sports which this is one. Can’t eliminate completely but it also can’t become extreme.

Great... Another vice gotcha piece As a millenial, i gotta say i just hate this millenial trend. The superiority and savior complex just overuns

why would anyone wants to be that big VOLUNTARILY?

Impressive. Literally nobody in this video was on the 'dark side', everyone signed up for it. And the sad thing called jounrnalism on part of Vice was just wrestlers saying they have bad days and go hungry. If you are going to do a 'Sumo Documentary on the Dark Side', this ain't the way to do it. Thumbs down.

An active rikishi? Probably a salaried one, since those unsalaried aren't really allowed to take interviews. Wonder who's the guy.

This was popular on UK TV around 30years ago,they should bring it back.

In recent years? This has been going on for centuries. Veterans hazing kids is part of the makeup of sumo. It was adopted by Japanese professional wrestling, which has its earliest roots connected to sumo.

sumo is a combat sport. just like military trains soldiers to kill people, sumo wrestlers beating each other is teaching them the mindset of beating their opponent. no one is forced to stay. like the retired sumo said, thousands leave because they cant handle the harsh conditions. thats just weeding out the weak from those who can push themselves to become a champion. the problem I see that needs to change is that they need to treat injured wrestlers better. forcing them to attend tournaments despite their injury or lose rank is what is hurting the sport. its forcing the talents to retire early or not perform as well they could have. and thats whats negatively affecting the sport

Herniaaa haaaaa!!! Is gonna be a mural in my physio room🤣

training and abuse are much different they sign up to train and wrestle not to have shoes and water basins thrown at them why do they think calling out abuse is calling out their training

dudes sumo chant related with me more than any Japanese song I've heard lol

i looked at the sumo for a second and thought to myself "those are just samoans" lol

Modern standards of civil rights force these groups to allow anyone to try out but the singular people inside the community will do everything possible to create roadblocks and say they are training people while abusing them would be more accurate. Look at navy seals, they themselves admit in interviews to having teammates who are garbage human beings but just wouldn't quit from the physical and mental exhaustion. The idea that the best warrior will be someone who can take endless abuse is dumb, that requires an ability to cut yourself off from the emotions that make you human. While useful to the larger group it means there are people pushed out who would be useful in other aspects which are 99.9 percent of the time happening

oh wow wrestlers get into fights. Boxing and NFL allspirts have testosterone fueled fights get over it ladies. the world isnt all gum drops and peopell following all the rules, women have to stop this fantasy. women enjoy a world created by conquest and empires but dont want the necessary violence that gives them that foundation of their luxury lifestyle

Assumed ties to the underground? Who here doesn't know the Sumo tradition has been led or tied to the Ya-Kuza?