Sport in Japan

is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), Paralympic sport (since 1988) and Commonwealth Games sport (since 1990). Judo is the most prominent form of Samurai throws and self-defense competed internationally. Judo was created in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō () as an eclectic martial art, distinguishing itself from its predecessors (primarily Tenjin Shinyo-ryu jujutsu and Kitō-ryū jujutsu) due to an emphasis on "randori" (, lit. 'free sparring') instead of alongside its removal of striking and weapon training elements. Judo rose to prominence for its dominance o

The naginata (, , ) is a polearm and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades (nihontō). Naginata were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei (warrior monks). The naginata is the iconic weapon of the onna-musha, a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese nobility.

overview of sports traditions in Japan

thumb|A game of kemari at Tanzan Shrine is an athletic football game that was popular during the Heian (794–1185) and Kamakura (1185–1333) periods of Japan. It resembles a game of keepie uppie or hacky sack.

A , or, more colloquially, , is a sumo wrestler. Although used to define all wrestlers participating in sumo wrestling matches, the term is more commonly used to refer to professional wrestlers, employed by the Japan Sumo Association, who participate in professional sumo tournaments (called ) in Japan, the only country where sumo is practiced professionally.

is a mallet team sport inspired by croquet. It is a fast-paced, non-contact, highly strategic team game, which can be played by anyone regardless of age or gender. Gateball is most popular in China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, with a growing presence in other countries.

right|thumb|The banzuke from the January 2012 tournament

thumb|350px|The game of dakyu in the 19th century in Japan is an equestrian sport in East Asia with some similarities to polo.

training stables in professional sumo

thumb|Two bulls beginning a match in Ishikawa, Okinawa thumb|Arena on Okinawa Island , also known as ushi-zumo or bull sumo, is bull wrestling as it is called in Japan. It used to be a traditional annual or seasonal sport by the proud owners of the farming bulls, but it is now held as a spectator sport in various places, such as the prefectures of Iwate, Kagoshima (Amami Islands), Niigata, Okinawa and Shimane (Oki Islands).

A sekitori (関取) is a rikishi (力士, sumo wrestler) who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and jūryō. The name literally translates to having taken the barrier, as only a relatively small fraction of those who enter professional sumo achieve sekitori status.

right|thumb|237px|Chikaraishi at the Adachi Shrine right|thumb|237px|Chikaraishi at Yanagimori-jinja , also or bijuru (Okinawan), are heavy rocks used at least since the 8th century CE in Japan to develop or demonstrate physical strength. Commonly found within Shinto shrines, they were used for competition, divination, physical fitness and entertainment; some famous examples have also become tourist attractions, and many have been recognised as Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese Government.

thumb|A BOAT RACE (kyōtei) course at Suminoe, Osaka. thumb|Edogawa BOAT RACE thumb|BOAT RACE competitors fly around the corner at Suminoe. thumb|A large clock is used to count down to the start of each race. thumb|A night BOAT RACE at Suminoe. The , literally "boat racing" and referred to as BOAT RACE, is a runabout racing event primary held in Japan. It is one of Japan's four , which are sports events where parimutuel betting is legal.

Sports award

thumb|200px|Kotoōshū Katsunori|Kotoōshū, winner of the May 2008 , receives the Emperor's Cup is the term for a championship in Japanese. This article focuses on championships in the sport of professional sumo.