Kiyochika: Caricature of Sumo Wrestling at Ekoin Temple in Ryogoku

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915)
Title: Ekoin Temple in Ryogoku
Series: Kiyochika Punch 清親放痴 (Kiyochika ponchi)  Date: Ca. 1881

A sumo wrestler grabs for his opponent, who has foiled him by running between his legs. An older gentleman snoozes in the background, oblivious to the bout. The wrestler is sweating profusely, and exactly what part of Meiji society Kiyochika is making fun of in this print is difficult to pinpoint, although the image itself is still quite funny. Ekoin Temple was a venue for sumo wrestling during the Edo and Meiji preiods.

Henry Smith only counted eleven works in this series, which was of course modeled on the English satirical magazine “Punch”. Works from this series had hidden political meanings, so we must assume the same here, although the intended satire by Kiyochika seems lost to time. Kiyochika was such an excellent comic artist that we can be amused by the design without knowing what societal/political issue is being parodied. Rather scarce.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Lightly backed.

Literature: For an overview of this series, see  “Kiyochika: Artist of Meiji Japan” by Henry D. Smith II, pages 58-59.

Dimensions: ôban (35.8 x 23.7 cm)  Publisher: Kobayashi Tetsujirô
Signature: Kobayashi Kiyochika (in margin)

SKU: KYC496