four bales set slightly back on the ring's edge
Specific sumo term for the four bales placed slightly inward from the four corners of the dohyo, providing a small step for wrestlers pushed to the edge.
His foot caught on the tokudawara, and he barely avoided stepping out of the ring.
Formed from 徳, “benefit” or “advantage,” and 俵. The four recessed bales give a wrestler slightly more room at the cardinal points of the ring.