The Sumo Wrestlers Takaneyama Yoichiemon and Sendagawa Kichigorō 1793

This woodblock print, "The Sumo Wrestlers Takaneyama Yoichiemon and Sendagawa Kichigorō," was created in 1793 by Katsushika Hokusai, one of the most celebrated Japanese artists of the Edo Period. Hokusai is famous for his series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," but he also produced many ukiyo-e woodblock prints depicting sumo wrestlers, a popular subject in Japanese art. This print showcases the dynamic energy of the sport, capturing the wrestlers' powerful muscles and focused expressions as they grapple in the ring. The detailed illustration of their attire and the simple background further emphasize the raw strength and athleticism of these two renowned sumo champions.