JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT OF A SUMO WRESTLER

(JAPAN). Sumo Wrestler Woodblock Print: Inagawa Masaemon. Tokyo, circa 1900. One sheet of rice paper, 9-3/4 by 14-1/2 inches. $850.

Beautifully detailed turn-of-the-century Japanese woodblock print of a sumo wrestler.

This print was created in the studio of Kuniaki, the famous late 19th-century woodblock print artist of sumo wrestlers. It features an image of the champion sumo wrestler Inagawa Masaemon, who wrestled from 1888 through 1909. Prints such as this one were sold as commemorative broadsides at sumo matches to honor favored wrestlers.

Only some light edgewear and faint soiling as is usual with this type of paper. Very good condition.