The , sometimes abbreviated JSA or NSK, is the body that operates and controls professional sumo wrestling (called ōzumō, 大相撲) in Japan under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). This means concretely that the Association maintains and develops sumo traditions and integrity by holding tournaments and . The purposes of the Association are also to develop the means dedicated to the sport and maintain, manage and operate the facilities necessary for these activities. Therefore the JSA operates subsidiaries such as the Kokugikan Service Company to organize its economic aspects, the Sumo School to organize training and instruction or the Sumo Museum to preserve and utilize sumo wrestling records and artefacts. Though professionals, such as active wrestlers, referees, hairdressers and ushers, are all on the Association's payroll, the organization can only be run by retired wrestlers. The organization has its headquarters in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan arena, in Sumida, Tokyo. Following a number of scandals, the Association revised its running and achieved numerous reforms in the past decades. Overview The Association has a long and rich history that dates back to the ancient rites of Shinto. Established in 1925 to award the "Prince Regent Cup" (later Emperor's Cup) during main tournaments, the Association became a Special Incorporated Foundation then a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation in 2014. History The Association has its origins in a Shinto ritual (or festival) that has been held since ancient times to pray for a bountiful harvest. This primary form of sumo was called Shinji-zumo (神事相撲). In 1757, during the Hōreki era, the beginnings of the Association were established as "Edo-sumo Kaisho" (江戸相撲会所), later called Tokyo-sumo. During the Edo period, sumo bouts (called kanjin-sumo, 勧進相撲), were often held to raise funds to develop provinces (new construction or repair of bridges, temples, shrines and other public buildings) or for entertainment purposes. Sumo wrestling was also actively practiced among samurai as a form of combat training called buke-sumo (武家相撲). Local rulers, or daimyō, controlled sumo and gained financing from it. On the other hand their protection to wrestlers was a guarantee of status. Rikishi were appointed as vassals of feudal lords and became samurai as well as being the champions of the feudal domain to which they were linked. Shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu specifically wanted "street" sumo prohibited and determined sumo should only be held for charitable purposes (perpetuating kanjin-sumo). The wrestlers were