Kunisada: The Great Wrestling Match Between Momotaro and Kintoki 桃太郎快童丸取組図
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864)
Title: The Great Wrestling Match Between Momotaro and Kintoki 桃太郎快童丸取組図Date: 1843-44
Humorous sumo confrontation between two of Japan’s most famous boy heroes from folk history. On the left is Kintaro, whose bear appears as the announcer (yobidashi). On the right is Momotaro, Peach Boy, with peaches decorating his waist cloth and his pheasant appearing as the referee (gyoji) at right. This is from the first state of this design, with boy at left’s dark skin featuring lead orange tan pigment, as well as a darker background on the sumo surface. Peach Boy (Momotaro) was born from a giant peach; he was found floating down a river in ancient times by an elder couple without children, who adopted him as a present from the gods. He grew up to be heroically strong, and he journeyed to the Island of the Devils to defeat the chief bad guy, Akandoji. En route he met a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, who he befriended and who became his companions. Kintaro (Kadomaru) was raised by a wild witch on Mount Ashigahara; the great Utamaro created many designs featuring the two. Kintaro made friends with the wild animals of the mountains, including a bear. For some reason, Momotaro was never a popular subject for ukiyo-e artists. Created in a style that can easily be compared with today’s manga; note the extra dark outlines and the extra-large figures that are full of power.
From the Library of Congress website: A favorite pictorial joke in the Edo period (1600--1867) was the depiction of sumo performed by unusual participants. In this print Kunisada shows the meeting of the two strong boys of Japanese folktales, Momotarō and Kintarō. Momotarō, born from a giant peach, defeated ogres with the help of his trusty dog, monkey, and pheasant. Kintarō (here called Kaidōmaru), grew up on a mountain with animals for his friends. In this match, Momotarō's pheasant appears as the gyōji (referee), while Kintarō's bear acts the yobidashi (announcer). Such nishiki-e served the function of increasing the popularity of sumo.
Condition: Excellent impression and condition. Very good color. Mild fold line near edge of two of the sheets and one tiny area of repaired wormage at bottom of left sheet. Dimensions: ôban triptych (38 x 25 cm each sheet, approx)
Signature: Kochoro Kunisada ga
References: See Library of Congress https://lccn.loc.gov/2021668778 see Victoria and Albert Museum Collection, Smithsonian Institution (later edition).
SKU: KUC047S
