As I write in my previous post on November 17th, ginkgo is "Ichou" in Japanese language. Interestingly, the top part of Sumo wrestlers' traditional unique hair style, shown in the photo above, is called "O-ichou". "O-ichou" means "Big Ginkgo". The name came from the shape.
As you can see in the photos above, Sumo wrestlers have a traditional Japanese hair style called "Mage" which is one of the big features of their appearance. It looks almost same as the hair style of Samurai but slightly different. Sumo wrestlers spread the tip of their tied hair very wide just like the shape of a ginkgo leaf. That's why the part is called "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" and it is specific to Sumo wrestlers.
"Mage" hair style with "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" is considered as a formal hair style for high-rank Sumo wrestlers, so they only make their hair tip into the "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" shape at formal situations such as Sumo matches and ceremonies. "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" is very important showing their rank.
When young boys join a Sumo-beya (Sumo gym) to become a professional Sumo wrestler, they usually have a modern hair style. Then they let their hair long to make the "Mage" hair style with a hope to be a high-rank wrestler someday and get his tip of "Mage" into "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" style. So, it is a big moment for a wrestler when they get "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" with their "Mage" hair style for the first time in his career.
Sometimes, a young wrestler has a conspicuous talent and get promotion very quickly to reach the high-rank which he is allowed to make "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" shape before his hair get enough length. In the case people see a short pony tail or a bent ponytail on his head among wrestlers with "O-ichou (Big Ginkgo)" at competitions as shown in the upper right end photo and the lower photo. Sumo fans enjoy seeing such a young wrestler, too, since it means he has a possibility to become a great wrestler.
No comments:
Post a Comment