(ぎょうじ)

ぎょうじ
noun
sumo referee
1. sumo referee
The official who presides over sumo wrestling bouts. Referees wear traditional costume, carry a fan to signal decisions, and call out the wrestlers' names.
行司(ぎょうじ)軍配(ぐんばい)()げた。
The referee raised his fan.
行司(ぎょうじ)になるには長年(ながねん)修行(しゅぎょう)必要(ひつよう)だ。
Becoming a sumo referee requires many years of training.
行司(ぎょうじ)伝統的(でんとうてき)装束(しょうぞく)()につけて土俵(どひょう)()がる。
The referee dresses in traditional costume and steps onto the ring.

The referee in professional sumo wrestling. Sumo referees belong to the Japan Sumo Association and follow a strict hierarchical ranking system, with the highest rank being 立行司(たてぎょうじ).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 行司(ぎょうじ)(さば)く (the referee officiates)
  • 行司(ぎょうじ)軍配(ぐんばい) (the referee's fan)
  • 立行司(たてぎょうじ) (chief referee)

The referee carries a 軍配(ぐんばい) (war fan) used to signal the start and result of a bout. In close matches, judges (審判(しんぱん)) seated around the ring may overturn the referee's decision.