Judge (sumo)
Shimpan (審判) or Shinpan are the ring-side judges of a professional
(the ring referee), which is usually correct and no action is taken by the shimpan.Five shimpan sit around the ring during the tournament. The order of importance of the shimpan is determined by where they sit. The order of importance goes North, East, South East, South West, West. They will rotate where they sit every day to maintain equality. However, during the top division only the chief shimpan and his two deputies may sit in the North. The South East shimpan also acts as the timekeeper and gives a signal to the gyōji (referee) when preparation time is up and the wrestlers should fight. Prior to September 1952 the raised shire roof (tsuriyane) was supported by columns and the shimpan would sit in front of the columns.
If one of the shimpan disagrees or is unsure about the decision then he raises his hand and the five of them climb into the ring, or dohyō to hold a mono-ii. A mono-ii (of the shimpan only) can in principle also be called by any of the four sumo wrestlers awaiting their bout around the ring, although it is an extremely rare occurrence.[1]
During the mono-ii the five shimpan give their views on what happened. The gyōji is usually able to listen in but is not expected to take part unless invited to do so. (In a famous case in January 1972, when the shimpan overruled the gyōji and said that
The use of video was brought in at a result of a famous bout in March 1969 in which the
The result of the mono-ii can be to uphold the gyōji's decision (so-called gunbai-dōri), reverse his decision (gunbai-sashichigai), or call a rematch (torinaoshi).[1] Prior to 1926 draws (azukari) were allowed.[2] The head shimpan is responsible for making the announcement and a brief explanation to the wrestlers and spectators.
All the shimpan are
The judging committee has 23 members at any one time. The three chief shimpan, who are nearly always former yokozuna or ōzeki, serve two-year terms, while the other 20 members serve one-year terms.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-8348-0283-X.
- ^ Guttmann, Allen; Thompson, Lee (2001). Japanese Sports: A History. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. p. 122.
- ISBN 4-7890-0725-1.
- ^ "元稀勢の里「責任感じている」 審判部に起用" (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.