Sumou: Japan’s unique national sport will hook you right in — find out why.

Sumou thumbnail: Two large men wrestling sumo style
© Pete Berlin (adapted)1 (CC BY-NC 2.02)

Nihon Sumo Kyokai3 (official Sumou website)

Sumo – traditional Japanese wrestling4 (Japan Zone)

Sumo5 (Kids Web Japan)

Glossary of sumo terms6 (Wikipedia)

Life of a sumo wrestler7 (YouTube video from BBC News)

Yakyuu: Originally from America, now adopted as one of Japan’s most popular sports.

Yakyuu thumbnail: A man in a striped baseball outfit and blue cap has just pitched a ball
© Arturo Pardavila III (adapted)8 (CC BY 2.09)

Baseball10 (japan-guide.com)

Japan baseball teams11 (JapanBall.com)

Professional Baseball in Japan12 – (npb.jp official site, Japanese-language only)

High school baseball in Japan – Koushien13 (Wikipedia)

Kendou: Training both body and mind to be in perfect balance.

Kendou thumbnail: Two competitors in protective uniforms crossing bamboo swords
© Ricardo14 (CC BY 2.015)

Kendo – The Way Of The Sword (YouTube video)16

Kendo (Kids Web Japan)17

All Japan Kendo Federation – Official Site18

Kendo.com19

Kyuudou: Style and beauty matter as much as hitting the target in Japan’s version of archery.

Kyuudou thumnbail: A man draws an arrow back in the bow
© Martin Miranda20 (CC BY-NC-SA 2.021)

Kyudo: Japanese Archery Documentary Short22 (YouTube video)

Japanese archery (Kyudo)23 (Kids Web Japan)

International Kyudo Federation24

Aikidou: Victory first over yourself is the key to victory over your opponent.

Aikidou thumbnail: A man holding a pole sends his competitor tumbling; both are wearing white shirts and wide black trousers
© Eric Six (adapted)25 (CC BY-NC 2.02)

About Aikido26 (www.aikidoshudokan.com)

Aikikai Foundation27 (English-language site)

Resources on the practice of Aikido28 (Guillaume Erard website)

Judo: Everybody can enjoy this health-building martial art in safety.

Judo thumbnail: Two girls white judo suits compete in a tournament; one has fallen on her back, legs, arms and hair flying
© Kurt Nordstrom (adapted)29 (CC BY 2.09)

Judo (Kids Web Japan)30

Kodokan Judo Institute31

Judo (japan-guide.com)32

Soccer: Japan is a great participant of The World Game and even hosted a World Cup!

Soccer thumbnail: a young woman in a sports uniform poised ready to kick a soccer ball as spectators watch on
© Samuel West Hiser33 (CC BY-ND 2.034)

Japan Football Association35 (English-language site)

J.League36 (English-language site)

Soccer as a Popular Sport: Putting Down Roots in Japan37 (The Japan Forum)

Soccer38 (japan.guide.com)