noun
official sumo tournament; Grand Sumo Tournament
Refers specifically to one of the six annual professional sumo tournaments sanctioned by the Japan Sumo Association. Often used in contrast to exhibition tours (花相撲) or other unofficial events.
来月の本場所は名古屋で行われます。
Next month's official sumo tournament will be held in Nagoya.
本場所では、横綱の土俵入
At the Grand Sumo Tournament, you can see the yokozuna's ring-entering ceremony.
Exhibition sumo held outside the official tournament schedule, unlike 本場所 which is the sanctioned competition.
Compound of 本 (hon, 'main, real, official') and 場所 (basho, 'place, venue'). The term distinguishes official tournaments from other sumo events.