Abstract: Research on the sumo activities prevalent in the Song Dynasty through the literature method. The entertainment-oriented sumo activities in the Song Dynasty follow certain competition rules, and the competition program is relatively simple. The purpose of competition is to get the opponent fall down, rather than cripple the opponent, thus simplifying and standardizing the competitive mechanism. It is believed that the the viewing and competitive nature of sumo wrestling in the Song Dynasty is a transcendence and popularization of the previous wrestling activities. Although it has been labeled as vulgar, due to the simple conditions of competition and the unlimited status of participants, it became a popular sport in the Song Dynasty. The popularity of sumo activities in the Song Dynasty is consistent with the openness of society and culture in the Song Dynasty, and it is a subject value appeal and citizens' conscious entertainment and sports behavior under the development of the commodity economy in the Song Dynasty.

Key words: the Song Dynasty, sumo, entertainment skill