The Sumo Wrestler Takasago Uraemon c. 1810

Katsukawa Shun'ei created this woodblock print of "The Sumo Wrestler Takasago Uraemon" in Japan during the Edo period. This era was marked by relative peace and economic growth, but also rigid social hierarchies. Here, Shun'ei captures Uraemon, not in the ring, but in a moment of repose, dressed in the garb of a samurai. The swords, the stern expression, and the formal attire all speak to a complex layering of identities. In Japan, sumo wrestlers were often seen as embodying strength and discipline. However, in this print, Shun'ei complicates this representation by incorporating symbols of the samurai class. He asks us to consider how individuals navigate and perform multiple roles within a society bound by tradition. The print's emotional resonance lies in the tension between the wrestler's physical presence and the weight of the societal expectations he carries. It is a reminder that identity is never monolithic.