Details
Grand Sumo Tournament on Mount Akazawa (Akazawayama ozumo)
Woodblock print, signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga, artist's seal yoshikiri, published by Maruya Kyushiro, 4th month 1858
Vertical oban triptych (each sheet approx. 38.1 x 25.7 cm.)


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Lot Essay

This powerful design depicts a famous sumo match between Kawazu Saburo Sukeyasu (right) and Matano Goro Kagehisa (left) which took place in 1176. Matano's defeat is watched by the Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-99), who is pictured under a parasol in the background at the far right along with his entourage. The referee Ebina Genpachi Hirotsuna is thrown aside by the wrestlers, waving his fan. During the match, Kawazu used a new manoeuvre, which became known as the 'Kawazu throw' (the wrapping of a foot around the opponent's leg and an arm around their neck whilst throwing to the ground), which became part of every sumo wrestler's repertoire.

Other impressions are illustrated in Robert Schaap, Heroes and Ghosts, (Amsterdam, 1998), p. 149; and Yuriko Iwakiri and Amy Reigle Newland, Kuniyoshi: Japanese Master of Imagined Worlds, (Leiden, 2013), p. 66.
Post Lot Text
This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on the invoice. Please see Conditions of Sale for further information.

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