Depicting the sumo wrestler Koyanagi in traditional clothing. Measurements 25,3x37 cm. Measurement with passepartout 54,5x42 cm. Not framed.
Discoloration. Soft handling creases. Colors possibly slightly faded.
From the Collection of Göran Flyxe.
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, Grafiska Galleriet, Stockholm 1 – 19/12 1973, Krognoshuset, Lund 14-30/1 1974, Norrköping Museum, Norrköping 9/6-28/7 1974, Kalmar Museum, Kalmar nov 1974, 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.
Depicted in the book "Edo Sumo Nishiki", 1986, p.105.
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.