KATSUKAWA SHUNTEI (1770-1820), color woodblock print. Japan, 1790. 'Raiden Tameemon'.
The Wrestler Raiden Tameemon (1767-1825), considered one of the greatest wrestler, wearing an apron (keshomawashi) performing the ring-entering ceremony. Measurements 24,6x38,5 cm. Meausrement with passepartout 42x55 cm. Not framed.
Discoloration. Soft handling creases. Colors possibly slightly faded. Restorations. Creases. Wear to edges. Shaded. Spot.
Provenance
From the Collection of Göran Flyxe.
Exhibitions
Exhibited at the Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art, Haifa, Spring 1997.
Exhibited at the Far Eastern Museum, Stockholm. “Sumo, Ritual and Art” - Japanese woodblock prints from the Göran Flyxes Collection; 29/10 2016-29/1 2017.
Exhibited at Sweden Center Bldg, Tokyo 31/5-1/6 1975, Röhsska Museet, Göteborg 9/12-23/1 1978, Galleri Asthley, Skinnskatteberg 5/6-18/7 1993, Östasiatiska Museet, Stockholm 24/12 1993-14/3 1994.
Literature
Depicted in the exhibition catalogue "Sumo - Heavyweight Art", woodblock color prints form the collection of Göran Flyxe, Stockholm. Page 12.
More information
Japanese Sumo Wrestling is one of the oldest martial arts in Japan. Sumo wrestlers were a favorite subject on Japanese woodblock prints.
Sumo has its roots in the shinto religion. The matches were dedicated to the gods in prayers for a good harvest. The oldest written records date back to the 8th century. But it is probably more than 1500 years old.
Sumo prints from the 18th and 19th century prove the popularity of the sport in the past.
Raiden Tameemon is one of the greatest wrestlers. Being 179 cm tall, he lost only 10 times and won 254 games in his lifetime.