A gyōji () is a referee in professional sumo wrestling in Japan. Gyōji usually enter the sumo world as teenagers and remain employees of the Sumo Association until they retire aged 65. There are currently a little over 40 active gyōji with an average of one in each sumo stable, though some stables have more than one and some have no gyōji. History Originally there were no official referees in sumo: if there were any close matches the emperor would determine the winner. It was not until the early 16th century, with the help of Oda Nobunaga, that gyōji started to make an appearance. Responsibilities The gyōji's principal and most obvious task is to referee bouts between two sumo wrestlers. After the yobidashi has called them into the ring, the gyōji will also call out each wrestler's name. It is the gyōjis responsibility to watch over the wrestlers as they go through the initial prebout staring contests, and then coordinate the initial charge (or tachi-ai) between the wrestlers. After he has been signaled by the shinpan (ringside judge) time keeper, the gyōji will indicate that the preparation time (four minutes for the top division) is up by saying "jikan desu, te wo tsuite" or "jikan desu, te wo oroshite" ("it's time, put hands down") and signal with his gunbai that the bout is to begin. He may add, "kamaete mattanashi." ("prepare, no waiting.") Immediately after the wrestlers initiate a tachi-ai that the gyōji deems acceptable, he will shout hakki-yoi (lit. "Put some spirit into it.") Although it is the wrestlers who ultimately determine the exact point at which the tachi-ai is initiated, if the two wrestlers' breathing is not synchronized or if one wrestler charges before they both put their hands down, the gyōji will shout "Madamada" ("Not yet!"), while raising his hand between the two wrestlers. This is referred to as a matta or a false start, and only the gyōji can call this. If the gyōji does not call a matta, a wrestler must fight, even if he was not ready. Once a matta has been ruled, the wrestlers must return to their starting positions and try another tachi-ai. During the bout, the gyōji should keep the wrestlers informed that the bout is still live (it is possible for a wrestler to brush his foot outside the ring without realizing it). He does this by shouting "nokotta nokotta!"