Victoria Film Festival Review: “Sumodo – The Successors of Samurai” Respects the Game
“Sumo wrestlers are samurai. In the past, the feudal lord kept sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, as samurai. The characters used to write ‘rikishi’ are power and samurai, so they were,” says manga artist and retired sumo wrestler Kototsurugi Junya at the beginning of Sumodo – The Successors of Samurai.
Sumo wrestlers, also known as rikishi, deserve just as much respect as any athlete. Like basketball and football players, these competitors put their minds and bodies on the line for their sport. To prepare for their grueling 15-day tournaments, they must practice a strict training regimen, live in a communal home known as stable, and maintain their unique physique. Of course, sumo is a highly popular sport in Japan despite its 2000 year-long history. However, the rest of the world misunderstands sumo as a sport. For example, some people believe that wrestlers eat an unhealthy amount of food, even though their meals are full of hearty vegetables and protein. In his debut feature documentary, director Eiji Sakata dispels these misconceptions by providing an unprecedented look into the world of professional sumo wrestling that is equally insightful and sincere.
Sakata follows several prominent sumo wrestlers at two prestigious training facilities, or stables, in Japan over six months. The film’s first half covers the renowned Sakaigawa stable, while the second half covers the equally revered Takadagawa stable. Sakata interviews various wrestlers between the two stables, including rivals Goeido and Ryuden. Goeido, a fan favorite in the sumo community, prepares for the January tournament to cement his legacy as a prime fighter. In contrast, Ryuden is returning to compete in the May tournament after recovering from severe injuries. Even though the men’s personalities are as different as two snowflakes, their desire to win makes them alike. The film also breaks down the history of sumo and how it transitioned from a trial of strength among samurais to a national sport.
Unlike most portrayals of sumo in the media, Sakata takes the wrestlers and their profession seriously. The director reveals how much training and tradition goes into the sumo tournaments through interviews, animated sequences, and original footage. One moment that encapsulates this is when the filmmaker juxtaposes the workers rebuilding the dohyō, or circular ring, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena for the January tournament against the wrestlers fighting on their practice ring in the Sakaigawa stable. These two scenes are essential because they spotlight the people who help run the event and the athletes competing. For the people of Japan, sumo is a profession that takes a lot of time, patience, and care.
Another notable aspect of Sumodo is that Sakata humanizes the sumo wrestlers. Not only does the director depict the wrestlers’ backstories, but he also encourages them to talk about their hopes, dreams, and fears in and outside of the ring. Sakata does this when he films Goeido and his fiancé at a restaurant. During the scene, the director asks the wrestler what he will do if he wins his tournament. Ever the sweet but determined man, Goeido reveals that he plans to marry his partner. This scene may be sentimental for some viewers. But what it does do is highlight the athlete’s interiority. And it is these moments that make Sumodo worthwhile.
Sumodo may not change the game like Icarus and Dogtown and Z-Boys did for the sports documentary genre. However, the way Sakata treats sumo wrestlers like the champions they are is meaningful in its own way. If anything, the first-time feature director certainly gives the docs on HBO and ESPN a run for their money.
