wakaimono-gashira: position for wrestlers in the Sumo Association after retirement

yaguradaiko: taiko drum in the 52-foot tower outside the arena, played to signal the end of a tournament day

yakuza: gangster

yaocho: fixed match

yobidashi: ring attendant

yokozuna: highest rank, can never be demoted

Yokozuna Shingi-iinkai: Yokozuna Deliberation Council, made up of prominent men from outside the sumo world, they decide if the rikishi should be promoted to yokozuna

yori: grappling or clinching

yorikiri: "force out", most common winning technique

yoritaoshi: "force out and down" technique

yotsuzumo: style of sumo involving gripping the opponent’s mawashi

yukata: Japanese-style dressing gown

yumitori-shiki: bow-twirling ceremony after the last makuuchi match

yusho: tournament championship

zabuton: cushion

zensho: all wins

zensho yusho: to win a championship undefeated (15-0)