Originally viewing sumo wrestling as absurd and incomprehensible, David Benjamin kept looking until he found himself obsessed by the sport. Providing a fresh and funny introduction to Japan's national pastime, Benjamin peels away the veneer of sumo as a cultural treasure and reveals it as an action-packed sport populated by superb athletes who employ numerous strategies and techniques to overcome their gargantuan opponents. In this illustrated guide, Benjamin offers Westerners an engaging, witty, behind-the-scenes look at sumo's history and its continued importance today.