gyoji

• gyōji

From Japanese 行司 (gyōji).

gyoji (plural gyoji or gyojis)

1. (sumo) A referee in a sumo match.
   • 1945 January–March, Marvin K[aufmann] Opler, “A ‘Sumo’ Tournament at Tule Lake Center”, in Ralph Linton, editor, American Anthropologist, volume 47, number 1, Menasha, Wis.: American Anthropological Association, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 137:

     Informants stated that from time immemorial the Emperor himself was a sumo fan, and that it would be disrespectful to appear before him clad in only a long belt-like affair, such as gyojis wear, without his prior consent.