Clad in nothing but loin cloths, Japan's top elite sumos led the traditional New Year ritual.

Japan's top wrestler weighs in at 340 pounds and is 6-feet, 4-inches tall. Also taking part this year are foreign professional sumo wrestlers.

Sumo now has more than 40 foreign-born wrestlers from nearly a dozen nations ranging from Bulgaria to Brazil.

The participation of foreigners has raised eyebrows in the conservative sumo world. 

(Copyright © 2013 NBC Universal, All Rights Reserved)