Category: Japan – Sports

Sumo Wrestler by Unknown Artist. Woodblock print, c. 1930’s.

Found the above woodblock print at the worthwhile Hanga Gallery (hanga is Japanese for “woodblock print”), which I came to via Plep. The listing “Sumo Wrestler” by “Unknown artist” from “ca. 1930’s” was anonymous enough to get my curious juices flowing and I dug around for more information.

The rikishi depicted is Shimizugawa Motokichi, who hailed from Aomori prefecture in northern Japan, and whose Sumo career spanned 20 years from 1917 – 1937. When he retired at the age of 37, he had amassed a top-division record of 193-130, with three championships. For the last five years of his career he wrestled as an Ozeki, professional Sumo’s second highest rank. According to this profile of Shimizugawa, in 1934 his promotion to Sumo’s highest rank of Yokozuna was expected, but he dislocated his femur bone in a provincial tournament. As a result, he’s one of a handful of wrestlers in the modern era to win at least two tournaments as an Ozeki but not reach Yokozuna.

As of this writing, the above 8 x 12 in. print is available from Hanga Gallery for $150.

UPDATE (April 24, 2004): Yesterday I borrowed a Sumo photo book from the library and the above print is pictured in there. The artist is credited as Toyoichi Yamamoto, who lived from 1899 to 1987. In the 1950’s Yamamoto was on the faculty of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts, and among the works to his credit is a sculpture of Doukan Oota in Shinjuku Chuo Park (Tokyo). (Doukan Oota was a minister of the Daimyo Sadamasa Uesugi and built the original Edo (Tokyo) Castle in 1457. He was also an accomplished tanka poet. He was stabbed to death while taking a bath.)

Czech rikishi Takanoyama, Aki Basho, September 20, 2003, Ryogoku Kokugikan. Canon EOS Elan IIE, Kodak TMZ 3200.

For the first time since they’ve been keeping records of these things, 4 top-division rikishi (sumo wrestler) enter today, the 12th day of the current Haru Basho (Spring tournament) in Osaka, with undefeated 11-0 records: Yokozuna Asashoryu, Ozekis Chiyotaikai and Kaio, and Maegashira Asasekiryu. It won’t last any longer, however, as Kaio and Asasekiryu will face off later today.

This coming on the heels of Asashoryu’s 15-0 zensho yusho (undefeated championship) last Basho (the first time that had been done in 8 years), and 2004 is shaping up to be a great year for Sumo fans. Myself I haven’t yet missed a broadcast of NHK’s nightly “Sumo Digest” program which recaps all the top-division matches, and each night around 12:30 a.m. my heart starts to go doki doki (getting butterflies in my stomach) wondering if any of the leaders are going to lose. Especially my man Asashoryu, who is aiming for the first back-to-back zensho yusho in 10 years. He left arm appears to be ailing this basho, and he has been pushed to the brink of losing a couple of times, unlike the last basho when he steamrolled through everyone, impressing even the venerable Chiyonofuji, who remarked after Day 10 of that basho:

Even if we put three Chiyotaikais [current Ozeki and Chiyonofuji protege] up there against Asashoryu, that would not be enough right now. As far as sumo content is concerned, there isn’t anyone you can compare against. He is quick. He has skills and has power. There once was a rikishi like him…you know.

I realize all this Sumo talk might be Greek to some of you, especially if you’re outside Japan. If you’re interested, you can get daily recaps of the day’s matches at the indispensable Sumonow.net and you can watch Real Player movies of each top-division bout via the equally indispensable Sumo Movies. For the wider view, the two Nihon Sumo Kyokai sites (here and here) are very extensive. The Kyokai also video streams each day’s matches.