When a sumo wrestler decides to retire, a ceremony takes place in which key persons in his life, such as his trainer, chop off his topknot to mark the end of his career. The now-bald wrestler will no longer have any reason to fight and therefore can be sent back to training with a clear head.
The cutting of the topknot is intended to remind everyone involved that the wrestler is now free from fighting spirit and should not be blamed for his defeat. A new topknot will be grown by a barber before each new season starts so as not to interrupt the wrestler's training.
Key persons in a retiring wrestler's life will anoint his bald head with oil during this ceremony to express their appreciation for his years of service. They may also give him some money or other gifts as a symbol of respect.
Topknots are usually made of rice straw but sometimes they are made of wool or hemp. In fact, modern wrestlers often use hair from other people to make their own topskots look more impressive. But never try this at home!
Sumo wrestling is still practiced in Japan today. However, most of the wrestlers these days are either from Mongolia or Brazil. There are still several Japanese families who have been sending their sons to sumo school since ancient times.
Today, the only time this tradition comes up is with sumo wrestlers, who still wear the samurai-style top-knot and cut it off ceremonially when a player retires. So, in a way, that cutting of hair is a ceremony that mirrors that of an Edo period Samurai: an end to an era of someone's life, and the beginning of another. However, since then some wrestlers have kept their hair long after retirement.
There are many theories on why sumo wrestlers cut their hair before each tournament. Some say it's to show respect and honor for their ancestors, others claim it's because of the ring itself - being made of bamboo and hemp - which could be damaged by hair length. Still others believe they should look uniform and able to fight at a moment's notice. Whatever the reason, cutting one's hair before a battle is considered good luck in Japan.
A similar practice among Samurai was common during peacetime too. If someone in their family died, they would shave their head and wear mourning clothes for the rest of their life. This showed that they had lost their last blood relative, and had no other families or friends to worry about.
Sometimes, instead of shaving their head, they would burn their hair off. This was called "sake bowing" and was done to apologize to your superiors if you ever did anything wrong. It was also done as a sign of loyalty and respect towards your friends and family.
Triumphantly. To complete something in a favorable or advantageous position; to win. She's been preparing for months because she's determined to win this year's marathon. Also see: come, on, out, and top. Fig. to emerge as the victor. The company came out on top in the bidding war.
To stand supreme or highest among others; to be first in rank or priority; to prevail. He came out on top at chess so he bought the car. I had to stay home from school because I was sick. They said Tom's book didn't come out until after you died...so it must have been Thomas who came out on top!
To succeed in business or other endeavor; to obtain profit or victory. His plan worked: they made all of their sales before Christmas. It's not clear who won the race, but many people claim to have finished it.
To cause to arise; to produce. Her painting came out beautifully. He came out singing with an angel on his shoulder. To say that something comes out is to say that it appears or is visible. Colors can appear bright or dark compared to their surroundings, for example. A color photo will capture many more colors than what we see with our eyes alone. Colors also come out when objects are reflected in mirrors or windows.
This is a method in which an opponent's movement is limited by stepping side to side, preventing him from moving freely around the ring. This is the decision of the ringside judges who determine the winner of the fight. If a fighter cuts off the ring repeatedly, it can lead to a penalty shot or disqualification.
In sports such as boxing, where physical contact is allowed, a boxer may be penalized for cutting off the ring. For example, if a boxer repeatedly steps out of his corner and into the path of his opponent's fists, he will likely receive a warning from the referee. If the behavior continues, then the referee may choose to stop the fight and award the victory to his opponent. This is called a cut-off punch and it is a common tactic in boxing.
A boxer can also be penalized for holding his hands outside the legal area on his opponent (usually defined by a belt around the waist). A boxer who does this repeatedly can be given a penalty point reduction during a round or even be disqualified. Holding the hands too low down by your side can also result in a penalty point deduction.
Some boxers use their elbows when they move out of their corners to protect themselves from injury. But using your elbow in combat sports is considered a foul and can lead to suspension or revocation of your license.
In popular culture, the top hat has been identified with the upper class and utilized by satirists and social critics as a symbol of capitalism or the corporate world, as with the Monopoly Man or Scrooge McDuck. The top hat was also used as a ceremonial headdress by certain Native Americans.
The top hat was originally designed for use by military officers during peacetime. It became associated with them because they were the only group who could afford to buy them. The top hat was first made in 1855 by Thomas Henry, who sold nearly all his production that year. Today's modern version of the top hat is usually made from black cotton velvet with a flat crown and straight up-and-down brim. However, other materials have been used in the past including silk and straw. The top hat has become one of the most recognizable symbols of authority and status within society.
People wear top hats for many different reasons. They may wear a top hat to a formal event such as an award ceremony or ball. Some choose to wear a top hat every day while others only wear them on special occasions. Some artists include pictures of people wearing top hats in their paintings while others use the hat as a metaphor for history's great leaders or even hypocrisy.
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