Description:
Colour woodblock triptych of two of the most famous sumo wrestlers of the Meiji Era.Depicts a sumo wrestling training bout between Hitachiyama Taniemon (left) and Umenotani Otomatsu, later Umegatani Totaro II (right).
Hitachiyama (1874-1922) and Umegatani (1878-1927) were the two wrestlers most associated with the "golden age" of Meiji-era sumo wrestling.
With tate-gyoji or referee Kimura Shounosuke XVI holding a gunbai at left, and Ikazuchi stable master and yokuzuna Omegatani Totaro I (1854-1928) seated with fan at right.
Gyokuha (also known Tamanami) was a Japanese print maker who flourished in the Meiji and Taisho eras, circa 1900-1920. He was probably a studio artist for the publisher, Matsuki Heikichi, and best known for his sumo wrestler portraits.
Published January 5, Meiji 33 (1900) by Matsuki Heikichi of Yoshikawacho, Nihonbashi, Tokyo.
Beautifully preserved and in very good condition, bold colour and sharp impression, no foxing.