Portrait of the Sumo Wrestler Ikezuki Geitazaemon

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 19th-century Japan, Utagawa Kunisada I (also known as Toyokuni, 1786–1865) captured the larger-than-life charisma of sumo wrestler Ikezuki Geitazaemon in this striking color woodblock print from around 1845. A master of the ukiyo-e tradition—"pictures of the floating world"—isada specialized in dynamic portraits of kabuki actors, courtesans, and cultural icons like sumo champions. This intimate vertical ōban print (36 × 23.2 cm) showcases the wrestler's powerful physique and intense gaze, rendered with bold lines and vivid colors that evoke the thrill of the dohyō ring. Sumo, Japan's ancient national sport with Shinto ritual roots, was a massive spectacle during the Edo period (1603–1868), drawing huge crowds and celebrity status for its stars. Prints like this democratized access to these heroes, turning them into affordable icons for urban Edo (modern Tokyo) dwellers. Kunisada's work reflects the era's obsession with entertainment, blending realism with stylized exaggeration to highlight Ikezuki's muscular form and topknot. The woodblock technique itself is a marvel: multiple cherry wood blocks were meticulously carved—one for each color—and printed in precise layers, allowing mass production while achieving rich, luminous hues. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print exemplifies ukiyo-e's enduring influence on global art, from Impressionism to modern anime.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) · 1786–1864

Utagawa Kunisada I, also known as Toyokuni III (1786–1865), was born Sumida Shōgorō in the Honjo district of Edo (modern Tokyo) into a family that operated a hereditary ferry-boat service, providing stability after his father's early death. Displaying prodigious talent in drawing from childhood, he became an apprentice to the master Utagawa Toyokuni I around 1801 at age fifteen, entering the prest...