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Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Introduction
Review: A fantastic and fun introduction to Sumo. I've already got my tickets for my second Basho next week and I'll have a lot better understanding of the sport because of this book.
However, its a bit out of date for current wrestlers and recent records. But that's all available online from the Sumo organization web site.
Also, its a good intro, but you'll have to look elsewhere for more detailed information and history.
Rating:
Summary: Great little "Big Book of Sumo"
Review: As a begining Sumo wrestler, who trains with 2 time World Lightweight Sumo champ Svetoslav Binev, I really liked this book. I found "The Big Book of Sumo" to be an awesome little book on the history and tradition of Sumo. Unfortunately, it has nothing on the actual techniques used from the standpoint of a competing wrestler. Only descriptions of some names of common techniques from a fan's perspective. Never-the-less, it's a great little "Big Book of Sumo." Don't get this book if you are looking for more than a very general description of sumo technique. Do get this book if you want to understand the art, history and tradition of Sumo.
Rating:
Summary: Great little "Big Book of Sumo"
Review: As a begining Sumo wrestler, who trains with 2 time World Lightweight Sumo champ Svetoslav Binev, I really liked this book. I found "The Big Book of Sumo" to be an awesome little book on the history and tradition of Sumo. Unfortunately, it has nothing on the actual techniques used from the standpoint of a competing wrestler. Only descriptions of some names of common techniques from a fan's perspective. Never-the-less, it's a great little "Big Book of Sumo." Don't get this book if you are looking for more than a very general description of sumo technique. Do get this book if you want to understand the art, history and tradition of Sumo.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: I have been interested in Sumo, but was lost in understanding of the sport. Mina Hall not only knows her stuff, she is able to relay it in terms that are understandable. Now I have a new love for the sport from this easy book. The content of Hall's book is enough to make me feel like I know the sport. No longer will I wonder why they do those things before,during, and after the match. While I have read other books on the subject this is by far the best. Get it and learn Sumo.
Rating:
Summary: A great intro to the ancient Japanese ritual sport of Sumo
Review: I lived in Japan for over two years and only had access to Japanese television stations, which meant that from time to time I would actually watch Sumo wrestling. As a kid I thought this was the sports equivalent of watching paint dry, mainly because of the prolonged rituals involved in getting to the point where the two walking worlds collide in the ring. Of course, I had no idea of what was going on, although my mother did make a doll of a shinpan (judge) that is still standing over in the corner (I am pointing at it now for your benefit). If I had read Mina Hall's "The Big Book of Sumo" I would have had a much greater appreciation of the sport. "The Big Book of Sumo" is an illustrated guide to Japan's ancient ritual sport that covers everything from the requirements for walking the Rikishi Road to the retirement ceremony at the end of a sumo wrestler's career. Hall tells us all about chankonabe (sumo stew), banzuke (the ranking sheet), honbasho (tournaments), shikir (pre-bout rituals), shikona (fighting names), and the proverbial much, much more. There are lots of photographs as well as cartoons using Sumo Boy, which are used to details the history, practice, ritual, and fights of sumo. Hall details all of the fighting techniques, using Sumo Boy to demonstrate. Sumo boy is cute, but clearly Hall is very serious about her love for the sport. When you see the tegata (autographed hand prints) of the sumotori, you know this is a book by a big fan of Sumo trying to pass her love of the sport on to a new generation of young fans. "The Big Book of Sumo" is much more than a mere introduction to the sport, so it might be a bit much for a young reader who has only seen a match or two. The book is geared towards a Western audience, with a section on "The Hawaiian Wave" of foreign sumo wrestlers led by Jesse Kuhaulua, known in Japan as Takamiyama. However, if you actually get to Japan Hall tells you where to go and what to see when you visit Ryogoku on a non-tournament day. I picked this book up out of curiosity, but now I am interested in setting down to watch me some serious sumo wrestling.
Rating:
Summary: A great intro to the ancient Japanese ritual sport of Sumo
Review: I lived in Japan for over two years and only had access to Japanese television stations, which meant that from time to time I would actually watch Sumo wrestling. As a kid I thought this was the sports equivalent of watching paint dry, mainly because of the prolonged rituals involved in getting to the point where the two walking worlds collide in the ring. Of course, I had no idea of what was going on, although my mother did make a doll of a shinpan (judge) that is still standing over in the corner (I am pointing at it now for your benefit). If I had read Mina Hall's "The Big Book of Sumo" I would have had a much greater appreciation of the sport. "The Big Book of Sumo" is an illustrated guide to Japan's ancient ritual sport that covers everything from the requirements for walking the Rikishi Road to the retirement ceremony at the end of a sumo wrestler's career. Hall tells us all about chankonabe (sumo stew), banzuke (the ranking sheet), honbasho (tournaments), shikir (pre-bout rituals), shikona (fighting names), and the proverbial much, much more. There are lots of photographs as well as cartoons using Sumo Boy, which are used to details the history, practice, ritual, and fights of sumo. Hall details all of the fighting techniques, using Sumo Boy to demonstrate. Sumo boy is cute, but clearly Hall is very serious about her love for the sport. When you see the tegata (autographed hand prints) of the sumotori, you know this is a book by a big fan of Sumo trying to pass her love of the sport on to a new generation of young fans. "The Big Book of Sumo" is much more than a mere introduction to the sport, so it might be a bit much for a young reader who has only seen a match or two. The book is geared towards a Western audience, with a section on "The Hawaiian Wave" of foreign sumo wrestlers led by Jesse Kuhaulua, known in Japan as Takamiyama. However, if you actually get to Japan Hall tells you where to go and what to see when you visit Ryogoku on a non-tournament day. I picked this book up out of curiosity, but now I am interested in setting down to watch me some serious sumo wrestling.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I purchased this book a year ago. It is very easy to understand and has some realy fabulous pictures. Mina Hall has done a great job in putting this together. I would recomend this to anyone who is interested in sumo.
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to the world of Sumo
Review: Mina covers all the basics in a concise, easy to read format that can be picked up by adult and young readers. Still new to the sport, I keep the book availabe to assist me in keeping track of the traditions, terms and ranking system. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Sumo.
Rating:
Summary: THE MOST IMFORMATIVE BOOK OF SUMO
Review: THE BIG BOOK OF SUMO IS THE ONLY TRULY INFORMATIVE, ACCURATELY COMPILED, AND ACTUALLY RESEARCHED IN JAPAN BOOK ON SUMO THAT I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF READING.I PERSONNALLY GREW UP IN HAWAII WATCHING SUMO ON TV EVERY WEEKEND. I FOUND FACTS AND INFORMATION I NEVER KNEW ABOUT SUMO BEFORE. YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND SUMO ON THEIR OWN WEBSITE. SUMO.COM BOOK IS AGOOD READ AND YOU WILL LEARN SOMETHING.SCOTT IN LAS VEGAS
Rating: 
Summary: A great introduction to Sumo.....
Review: This is a great book for people interested in Sumo, but have limited knowledge of its rituals and practices. It is one of the best intorductory books on sumo you can buy. However, those who are followers of the sport, don't expect to learn very much.
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