This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Abroad from the KU Center for East Asian Studies.

Here in Japan, the fight for gender equality continues apace. The latest battleground is, in fact, a battleground: the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring. Sumo has its roots in Shinto, the native religion of Japan. The bouts represent the fight between the self that is present – as embodied by man – and the self that is wrestling with demons like emotions – as embodied by women. Considered the realm of the gods the dohyo is off limits to women. But, apparently, the paradigm only applies to professional sumo wrestling, where the money and fans are. No such spiritual taboo is attached to amateur leagues. And here is where women are making inroads into this old boys’ network. Many women now strap on their mawashi – loincloths – for schools, for clubs, for sheer caloric freedom! There’s even talk of making it an Olympic sport. Hear that? Just the sound of a 2000-year-old glass ceiling shattering.

From the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.