The Dohyo, indispensable for sumo.
Even if you're not a sumo fan, everyone knows it's the sacred stage where rikishi compete.
Did you know that this Dohyo is newly made by hand for each tournament,
and returned to the earth after the final day?
"I want to touch that earth."
"I'd like to take a little bit home as a souvenir."
In response to the passionate requests of sumo fans, this product was created by compacting actual Dohyo soil:
The "Dohyo Soil Strap."
We asked Oyakata Onogawa (former Kitataiki) about the secret story behind the development of the Dohyo Soil Strap.
A product realized based on direct customer feedback
"There are quite a few customers who say they want to get their hands on and touch the Dohyo soil."
Oyakata Onogawa worked at the official shop during tournaments,
and heard direct feedback from sumo fans.
"Then, by chance, someone from a manufacturing company approached me."
The company that contacted him was from Tottori Prefecture, manufacturing souvenirs by compacting sand,
such as sand from Enoshima and the Tottori Sand Dunes.
Development began on a product that embodied the fans' desires.
Product development was "beaten and kicked" in many ways.
Once development began, it took approximately four months to complete the prototype.
The biggest challenge was strength. Due to the nature of Dohyo soil, it was difficult to increase its strength,
and the first prototype, which was a size smaller than the finished product, cracked when a hole was drilled for the strap.
The shape was also decided, after various suggestions including the shape of the Kokugikan, to the current simple form.
"It was more the manufacturers' hardship than ours.
It seemed difficult. We also stomped on and kicked the prototypes to check their strength (laughs).
Even hitting them against something was completely fine."
It's truly sturdy, so it's interesting as a good luck charm too.
The robust "Dohyo Soil Strap" was created through repeated prototyping.
However, an incident occurred at the Osaka tournament.
"Oyakata Iwamoto, jokingly, asked 'Will it break if I drop it?' and dropped it.
Shodai's strap broke. 'Oh no! Bad luck!' we thought."
Yet, Shodai, who had been on a losing streak, started winning consecutively.
"It would have been bad luck if he had lost after that, but I was relieved when he started winning consecutively."
While surprised that it broke just by being dropped, despite not breaking when hit so hard,
"I thought of it as having a role similar to a friendship bracelet, where something good happens if it breaks.
I thought that might be more interesting."
Dohyo soil isn't discarded, but transformed into straps! Eco-friendly too.
Currently, the Dohyo soil for all main tournaments, including regional ones, comes from Arakida in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture,
and the opportunity for the general public to touch it is virtually non-existent.
However, when Oyakata Onogawa was an active rikishi, regional tournament Dohyo were made from local soil.
"The Kyushu Dohyo, in particular, would get incredibly slippery when watered, while Tokyo's felt just right.
There was a huge difference in how slippery, crumbly, or solid the Dohyo felt depending on the venue and the soil.
Sometimes water would be sprinkled on the Dohyo to prevent slipping, but at times, too much water would cause the soil to wobble.
"I kept thinking, 'Don't water it anymore!' at the Kyushu Basho.
On the other hand, some days it was so dry and slippery that I wished they would water it...
he recalled with a twinkle in his eye.
"Since we've adopted the Arakida soil, which I found most preferable among all the sumo venues across the country, as the Dohyo soil,
the current Dohyo conditions are excellent."
Now that the soil has been standardized to that of Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, after each tournament, the Dohyo soil is returned to the earth and sent to a contractor.
"The last soil to be collected was from the Osaka tournament.
I think it was a 2-ton truck, so it should last a while.
Until then, it was just discarded soil, so this is truly SDG-friendly."
The world of sumo, where fan feedback is easily reflected in merchandise.
Unlike other sports, sumo has many fans who support rikishi simply because they share the same hometown.
"For example, in the case of Mitakeumi (from Nagano Prefecture), people who come to watch sumo from Nagano Prefecture
might buy about 10 souvenirs.
I think goods of local rikishi make good souvenirs."
Initially, straps for the top 10 makuuchi rikishi on the banzuke were sold on a trial basis,
and they sold out quickly by around the middle of the tournament.
Now, the variety is gradually increasing, with straps available for up to 20 rikishi.
"When I'm at the official shop, there are many requests for specific rikishi.
'Please make one for my favorite rikishi,' they say.
If you come to the official shop and keep telling one of the oyakata that you want merchandise for a certain rikishi,
it will probably become a product very quickly (laughs). If you keep asking passionately."
Wear your favorite rikishi's strap and watch live sumo.
To fans who have never attended a main tournament, Oyakata Onogawa conveys:
"I really want people to experience sumo live, if possible.
I know many people watch it on TV,
but the impact of watching it live is undeniably different.
If you go to a regional tour, you can get autographs, take pictures, and shake hands.
I think that closeness is part of what makes sumo enjoyable.
"It can also be an opportunity to get closer to the rikishi, so if you wear their strap
or carry their merchandise, it truly encourages them.
Whether you attend the actual tournaments or not, please purchase from SuMALL (laughs)
and show your support."
With a Dohyo soil strap attached to your keys or bag, your favorite rikishi might even notice you.
=== Product ===
Dohyo Soil Strap - Terunofuji
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Dohyo Soil Strap - Shodai
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Dohyo Soil Strap - Tamawashi
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Dohyo Soil Strap - Mitakeumi
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Dohyo Soil Strap - Takakeisho
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