Sumo Wrestlers Ōnaruto and Nishinokai – Edo Period Ukiyo-e Japanese Woodblock Art Print by Utagawa Kuniaki II

UKIYO-E
JAPANESE WOODBLOCK
ART PRINT

"Sumo Wrestlers Ōnaruto and Nishinokai with Referee Shikimori Inosuke and Judge Takasago" (行司式守伊之助・高砂立会　大鳴門と西ノ海取組) by Utagawa Kuniaki II (c. mid-19th century).

This dynamic ukiyo-e print captures a charged moment from the golden age of late Edo-period sumo, as the powerful wrestlers Ōnaruto and Nishinokai strain against one another at the very edge of balance. Their bodies lock in a tense grapple, muscles exaggerated and monumental, conveying both immense physical strength and the split-second drama that defines professional sumo. Kuniaki II heightens the impact through a low viewpoint and sweeping horizontal composition, pulling the viewer directly into the contest.

Flanking the bout are two key figures of authority: the celebrated referee Shikimori Inosuke, poised and alert, and the seated judge Takasago, whose calm presence contrasts with the explosive action before him. Together they remind us that sumo is not merely brute force, but a deeply ritualised sport governed by tradition, rank, and strict ceremonial roles. With its bold lines, controlled colour palette, and theatrical sense of movement, this print is both a vivid sports scene and a fascinating window into the cultural life of 19th-century Japan.

Originally issued as part of a triptych, this artwork has been carefully arranged on a complementary off-white background to preserve its balance and visual impact.

★ Reproduced from an archive image, respectfully and lovingly restored and enhanced digitally, to remove the non-artistic blemishes and colour fading.

★ A3 print, 297mm x 420mm. 

★ Printed in England on a 350gsm Eucalyptus paper, made from eucalyptus pulp from sustainable sources. It is brilliant white and smooth and Eco printed with high pigment environmentally-friendly toners.

★ Supplied unframed, carefully rolled and packed with tissue paper in a strong cardboard tube for safe transit.

(Interior images are shown for styling and illustrative purposes only, not to be used as a precise scale guide. There will be no watermarks on the actual print.)

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