Gyōji

A "Gyōji" (行司) is a referee in professional sumō wrestling in Japan.

"Gyōji" usually enter the sumo world as teenagers and remain employees of the Sumō Association until they retire aged 65.

Responsibilities

The "gyōji's" principal and most obvious task is to referee bouts between sumo wrestlers. After the "yobidashi" has called them into the ring it is his responsibility to watch over the wrestlers as they go through the initial prebout staring contests, and then coordinate the initial charge (or "tachi-ai") between the wrestlers. During the bout he is supposed to keep the wrestlers informed that the bout is still live (it is possible for a wrestler to brush his foot outside the ring without realising it). He does this by shouting "nokotta nokotta!" (残った、残った！), which can be translated from Japanese to mean "You're still in it! You're still in it!" The gyōji also has the responsibility to encourage the wrestlers to get a move on when action between them has completely stopped, for instance, when both of them are locked up on each other's mawashi in the middle of the ring. He will do this by shouting "hakkei yoi, eh! hakkei yoi, eh!" Furthermore, when a wrestler has apparently fallen to the clay, the gyoji is expected to determine the winner of the bout. His most obvious accessory is a solid wooden war-fan, called a "gunbai" which he uses in the prebout ritual and in pointing to the winner's side at the end of each bout.

The "gyōji's" decision as to the winner of the bout can be called into question by one of the five referees, or "shimpan", who sit around the ring. If they dispute the result they hold a "mono-ii" (lit: a talk about things) in the centre of the ring, aided through an earpiece to a further two "shimpan" in a video room. They can confirm the decision of the "gyōji", overturn it, or order a rematch. The "gyōji" is not expected to take part in the discussion during a "mono-ii" unless asked to do so. In many cases, a match may be too close to call, or the gyōji may not have managed to get a clear view of the end of the bout. Regardless, he is still obliged to make a split second decision as to his choice of "winner". This creates pressure for a "gyōji", especially considering that a reversed decision is like a black mark: too many and it may affect his future career.

In addition to refereeing matches, "gyōji" have a number of other responsibilities, including the calligraphy in the writing of the wrestlers ranking list, called the "banzuke". They also are responsible for keeping the records of wrestler results, and in determining the technique used by a particular wrestler in winning a bout. All "gyōji" are associated with one of the "heya" or training stables throughout their career and will be expected to assist their stablemaster also.

Ranking

Career progression is based on a ranking system similar in name to that used for sumo wrestlers (see sumō). The rank nominally represents the rank of wrestler that they are qualified to referee for. However, unlike sumo wrestlers, promotion is to a large degree determined on length of service. Typically a gyōji's promotion is only held up if he has made too many mistakes in determining the outcome of matches, except for the topmost two ranks where leadership skills may play a more significant role.

* "tate-gyōji"
* "fuku-tate-gyōji"
* "sanyaku-gyōji"
* "makuuchi-gyōji"
* "juryo-gyōji"
* "makushita-gyōji"
* "sandanme-gyōji"
* "jonidan-gyōji"
* "jonokuchi-gyōji"

The "tate" and "fuku-tate" ranks stand for chief and deputy chief, respectively.

Uniform

When refereeing matches senior "gyōji" wear elaborate silk outfits, based on medieval Japanese costume from the "Ashikaga" period.

Like the sumo wrestlers, "gyōji" ranked at Makushita level and below wear a much simpler outfit than those ranked above them. It is made of cotton rather than silk and is about knee length. The outfit also incorporates a number of rosettes, and tassels which are normally green, but can be black in colour. Within the "dohyō" they are also expected to go barefoot.

On promotion to lowest senior rank of Juryō the "gyōji" will change into the more elaborate full length silk outfit. The rosettes and tassels on his outfit will also change to be green and white. He is also entitled to wear "tabi" on his feet.

As he moves further up the ranks there are additional small changes:

Makuuchi ranked "gyōji" merely need to change the colour of the rosettes and tassels to orange and white.

On achievement of "Sanyaku" rank the rosettes and tassels become solid orange and he also is allowed to wear straw "zōri" on his feet in addition to the "tabi".

As described above, the two topmost ranks, equivalent to yokozuna and ōzeki, are the "tate-gyōji" and "fuku-tate-gyōji", respectively. The rosettes and tassels are purple and white for the deputy and solid purple for the chief "gyōji". Furthermore both the top two "gyōji" carry a short dagger visible in the belt of the outfit. This is supposed to represent the seriousness of the decisions they must make in determining the outcome of a bout, and their preparedness to commit "seppuku" if they make a mistake. In reality if one of the two top ranked "gyōji" has his decision as to the victor of a bout overturned by the "shimpan" then he is expected to tender his resignation instead. However, the resignation is generally rejected by the Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. A tate-gyōji's submission of his resignation can usually be regarded as simply a gesture of apology from one of the highest-ranked referees for his mistake. There have, however, been rare cases where the resignation has been accepted, or where the gyōji concerned has been suspended from duty for a short period.

Ring Names

As with virtually all positions in the Sumō Association, including the wrestlers and the "oyakata", the "gyōji" take on a professional name, which can change as he is promoted. All "gyōji" will have either the family name "Kimura" or "Shikimori" and will acquire a fairly old-fashioned personal name by the time they reach the senior levels. In addition the "fuku-tate-gyōji" is always named "Shikimori Inosuke" and the "tate-gyōji" as "Kimura Shōnosuke" (It is traditional in Japan to give the family name first.) These two names are based on famous "gyōji" from the Edo Period.