What is sumo dohyo?

Sumo dohyo is the circular ring or platform used for sumo wrestling matches. It is traditionally made of clay and measures 4.55 meters in diameter. The dohyo is surrounded by a bales of straw called tawara, and the wrestlers enter the ring through four different entrances called shikiri-sen. The center of the dohyo is marked by a white ring called shikiri-sen, and the wrestlers must start the match with both feet inside this ring. The dohyo is considered sacred, and only the wrestlers, sumo referees, and other authorized personnel are allowed to step inside it. The construction and maintenance of the dohyo are highly ritualized, and it is considered a symbol of Japanese culture and tradition.