Book - The Way of Salt: Sumo and the Culture of Japan, A. Warren

Author: Ash Warren, Laurent Strim

Publisher: Sully Eds

Publication date: 10/16/2024

Collection: Le Prunier

Number of pages: 192

Format: 14 x 21.50 cm

Sumo is a combat sport at the heart of Japanese culture. Its basic rule is simple: push your opponent out of the dohyô or make him touch the ground with anything other than the bottom of your feet. Sumo, which dates back over 2,000 years, was first held in Shinto shrines to the gods to ensure a good harvest. Therefore, to fully appreciate the sport, it is necessary to understand the ancient culture of Japan, its people, and the Shinto religion. In The Way of Salt, Ash Warren shares his intimate knowledge of the world of sumo and Japanese society and invites us to explore the culture of Japan through the description of sumo and its fighters, their training, their state of mind. In great detail, he describes the significance of the rituals surrounding sumo, the hierarchical relationships between the fighters, their commitment and perseverance.
Sumo is a traditional combat sport that is at the heart of Japanese culture. Its basic rule is simple: push your opponent out of the dohyo (ring) or make him touch the ground with anything other than the bottom of your feet. This is accomplished by fighters who weigh on average over 150 kg, wearing only a loincloth, and whose fight lasts only a few seconds. Sumo, which dates back over 2,000 years, was first held in Shinto shrines to the gods to ensure a good harvest. Therefore, to fully appreciate this sport, it is necessary to understand the ancient culture of Japan, its people, and the Shinto religion. In The Way of Salt, Ash Warren shares his intimate knowledge of the world of sumo and Japanese society and invites us to explore the history and culture of Japan through the description of sumo and its fighters, their training, their fight, their state of mind. In great detail, he describes the meaning of the rituals surrounding sumo, the hierarchical relationships between the fighters, their commitment and their perseverance. The book is illustrated with photos (black and white) Ash Warren, originally from Australia, is an author and translator who has written about Japanese culture for decades. A tea ceremony teacher, he has lived in Japan since 1992.