Komusubi Omusubi !

The other day, I was watching a Japanese news station and there was a mention of a "Komusubi," with an image of a Sumo wrestler in the background. I thought this was just so HILARIOUS and was having a huge laugh about it. I thought to myself "Why would anyone name himself 'Komusubi' of all things?!" In my mind, "Komusubi" sounded just like "Omusubi," which in Japanese means "rice ball." Wouldn't YOU also think it was quite humorous for a Sumo wrestler to call himself a "rice ball"?

It really struck my funny bone and I couldn't stop laughing. Then my friend wanted to know what I found so funny, and I told her. Then it was MY turn to get laughed at, because I had it all confused. What she explained to me was that there are different ranks for Sumo wrestlers, and "Komusubi" was not in fact an individual's name, but a name of a rank for Sumo wrestlers. The only thing I knew about Sumo until then, was that grand champions are called "Yokozunas." Now I know better! (I STILL think "komusubi" is a funny name for a Sumo wrestler though.)

By the way, I also later found out that "komusubi" actually means "small knot" and NOT "rice ball," although it sounds similar.