The 2021 November banzuke has dropped.

In sumo, the release of each new set of rankings invariably signals the advent of final frenetic preparations for its associated tournament.

More than that though, the banzuke, with all 650 or so wrestler’s names written in traditional calligraphy on a single large sheet of paper, gives both a unique overview of the current state of the sport and sets the stage for the plotlines that will dominate the upcoming meet.