A brief history of sumo wrestling

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Lee Thompson |

TED-Ed

• June 2026

Sumo wrestling is known across the world as a beloved form of entertainment, a grand display of strength, and an ode to Japan's ancient past and traditions. But surprisingly, many of these so-called "ancient" traditions were actually recent inventions. So, what were these fabricated practices, and how do they relate to sumo’s true history? Lee Thompson traces the evolution of the sport. [Directed by Masayoshi Nakamura, Good General, narrated by Jack Cutmore-Scott, music by Zak Engel].