In sumo, two rikishi wrestlers square off in a dohyo ring under the watchful eyes of a gyoji referee. I wonder if you know how many people at most sit in places surrounding the ring that comprise the "dohyo damari."
The answer is 10: two waiting wrestlers each on the east and west sides, a total of five oyakata stablemasters as judges and a substitute gyoji referee.
Of the five judges, the head judge sits on the north "front" side, while one judge each sits on the east and west sides, flanked by two waiting wrestlers.
The south "opposite-front" side is called "gyoji damari," where there is a substitute gyoji, who is flanked by a judge on each side.
Above the dohyo ring, four colored tassels -- red, white, black and blue -- hang from the ceiling. When the name of a judge sitting under the red and white tassels is announced over the hall PA system, his stablemaster name and ring name used during his career is called out, such as, "Under the white tassel, Furiwake, former Takamisakari."
When there is an objection to a gyoji's decision, a judge raises his hand to call a monoii to discuss the bout in question. Waiting wrestlers also are allowed to call a monoii. Waiting wrestlers are not allowed to get in the ring. In either situation, the judges discuss the match together in the ring.
In the latest Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, a gyoji fell from the ring as he bumped into a wrestler during a makuuchi bout. In such a rare case, the substitute gyoji must quickly go into the ring and take over.
Meanwhile, about 20 yobidashi callers work briskly around the ring. They do far more than just call out the names of wrestlers before their bouts. They also sweep the surface of the ring, make sure there is enough water and salt in the bowls, take care of sponsors' kensho prize banners and handle many other tasks behind the scenes that are required to ensure the smooth running of the tournament.
While working around the dohyo damari, they try not to draw attention to themselves, and their behavior, almost unnoticed, is considered refined.
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