However, it is believed that the oldest record of Sumai no Sechie events is that referred to in "Secret Imperial Events Chronicle" etc in the year 726 when we are told that Emperor Shomu had sumo wrestlers ('rikishi') who were subjects in his court controlled domains pay tribute.
しかし、相撲節会の最古の記録は『宮中行事秘事』などに伝えられる聖武天皇の神亀3年（726年）に令制国より相撲人（今日の力士）が貢進されというものであると考えられている。