Wrestler Kurokumo Ryūgorō from Higo Province by Utagawa Kunisada

Wrestler Kurokumo Ryūgorō from Higo Province 1843

print, ink, color-on-paper

toned paper

blue ink drawing

childish illustration

print

japan

cartoon sketch

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

ink drawing experimentation

sketchbook drawing

watercolour illustration

cartoon carciture

sketchbook art

This 1843 woodblock print by the prolific Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865) depicts the sumo wrestler Kurokumo Ryūgorō from Higo province. The print showcases the wrestler in a dynamic pose, showcasing the artist's skill in depicting the human form. The use of bold lines and vivid colors in the print is typical of the ukiyo-e style. The image's vertical orientation and "ōban" format are also standard for this style of Japanese art.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This three-sheet set of prints represents the dohyō-ir, or ring-entering ceremony, at the beginning of a tournament day. Takaneyama appears on the left as the tachi-mochi, or sword carrier, one of the two attendants of the wrestler who performs the ceremony. On the right sits Kurokumo, who functions as the “dew sweeper” (tsuyuharai), the attendant who in ancient times would clear the path for the wrestlers. The ceremony itself is performed by a yokozuna, a high-ranking wrestler, in this case Shiranui, in the center. The yokozuna always performs the same moves in the center of the ring, including raising his right foot up high followed by his left.