Yobidashi
The yobidashi ( Japanese 呼出 or 呼 び 出 し , dt. About: "crier") is a functionary in professional sumo wrestling in Japan. Among other things, he is responsible for calling the fighters to the ring ( dohyō ) before an encounter . In addition, he sings aloud the names of the fighters and the sides of the ring assigned to them (east or west), while he holds a traditional paper fan ( sensu ) in their direction. Only then do the rikishi enter the ring. During the fight, the yobidashi has to leave it.
The clothing of the Yobidashi is loosely based on old-fashioned Japanese workers' clothing. Leg warmers and tabi- like shoes belong to it. Like the Gyōji , Yobidashi begin their careers in adolescence and work their way up in a ranking system that is similar to that of the sumo wrestlers until they retire at 65. However, since not every yobidashi, for whatever reason, can be considered for a promotion, it may well be that a yobidashi cannot even reach the makuuchi ranks in his career. As with the Gyōji, the training itself is not carried out by the association, but by an older and experienced yobidashi who has to instruct the newbies in the work.
In addition to their calling function, Yobidashi perform a multitude of tasks as “girls for everything”. On competition days, this includes sweeping the ring, refilling the cleaning salt and supervising the buckets with the "power water" ( Chikara-mizu ), as well as spreading the advertising banners of companies that sponsor certain encounters of well-known wrestlers. In addition to this work that takes place directly on or in the Dohyō, a yobidashi is also responsible for beating the drums outside the arena, which traditionally aims to attract spectators. He also announces the start of the event with drums.
The Yobidashi are also responsible for building the ring itself from clay , both the Dohyōs for tournaments and exhibition fights and the training rings in the "stables" . Traditionally, yobidashi also write songs ( jinku ) that deal with sumo life.