Okinawan Traditional Martial Arts - Shima (Okinawan Sumo)

Please join Our Facebook page! Okinawan Traditional Martial Arts - Shima (Okinawan Sumo) Okinawa, a southern island of Japan, is well known as a birth place of Karate. But not so many people know this island’s another unique martial art, “Shima.“ It’s said that Shima, also known as Okinawan Sumo, has more than three undreds of years of history. No punches, no kicks. In some ways, Shima is similar to wrestling, Judo and Ssireum (Korean wrestling.) Unlike Sumo in mainland Japan, Shima wrestlers wear traditional uniforms. Going out of the ring or touching the ground will not end the match. While a match, participants keep grabbing each other’s sumo belt and try to force opponent’s back and both shoulders to the ground to score a point. And the competitor who scores two points first wins the match. There are many Shima competitions held on Okinawa. Check the schedules and please participate when you visit Okinawa&#