Chikara mizu means power water. Before the sekitori matches
begin, there is a prematch ritual. The sumotori goes to his corner to accept
a ladle of chikara mizu. The ladle (hishaku) will be offered to him either
by the winner of the previous match from his side, or from a waiting sumotori
(hikake rikishi). Since the water is a symbol of, not only, purification,
but also power, it cannot be received from a sumotori who has been defeated
in the previous match. The sumotori will then rinse his mouth and spit
the water from behind the chikara gami (power paper). Chikara mizu is sometimes
referred to as kesho mizu.
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