But with only one yokozuna, competition is falling flat, and the exit of some stars has underscored its slide.
Former yokozuna Akebono cut his ties to sumo to join K-1, where boxers, kickboxers and wrestlers battle in a free-for-all style.
In a nationally televised New Year's Eve match, Akebono was quickly dispatched by former American football player Bob "The Beast" Sapp, an outcome that did little to enhance sumo's dignified image.
The former yokozuna, who considered leading his own sumo stable of wrestlers, says money was a factor in his move to K-1.
"For yokozuna, people expect if you stay in the Sumo Association that you'll open your own stable, and that's not free," the K-1 fighter now known as Taro Akebono said.
"Basically, I wondered if I went the stablemaster way or the K-1 route, which risk would be less for me?
"It's a big risk staying in sumo."
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