is an unconventional

sumo wrestling is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...

technique, which involves a wrestler clapping his hands together in front of his opponent's face at the ''

tachi-ai The is the initial charge between two sumo wrestlers at the beginning of a bout. It is a combination of two Japanese words that mean “stand” and “meet”. There are several common techniques that wrestlers use at the tachi-ai, with the ai ...

'' (start of the bout). The aim of this technique is to cause the opponent to close his eyes briefly, allowing the instigator to gain the advantage. ''Nekodamashi'' requires there to be a fair amount of space between the wrestlers at the ''tachi-ai''. Using the technique is also a gamble: if it miscarries, it leaves the wrestler wide open to his opponent's attack. ''Nekodamashi'' is not listed as a ''

kimarite ''Kimarite'' ( ja, 決まり手) is the technique used in sumo by a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) to win a match. It is officially decided or announced by the ''gyōji'' (referee) at the end of the match, though judges can modify this decision. The rec ...

'' (winning technique); even in the unlikely situation that a wrestler is so surprised by a ''nekodamashi'' that he falls over, the winning technique is simply recorded as '' higi'' (non-technique victory). Famous sumo wrestlers to have used the ''nekodamashi'' over the years include Mainoumi, Ōtsukasa, ''

yokozuna , or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments. This is the on ...

'' Hakuhō in November 2015, and former ''yokozuna''

Mienoumi is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Matsusaka, Mie. He was the 57th ''yokozuna'' of the sport. After retiring he founded the Musashigawa stable and was a chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. He was the first rikishi in histo ...

See also