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Sankai Mitate Sumo by Utagawa Hiroshige — Japanese Woodblock print

Sankai Mitate Sumo

by Utagawa Hiroshige

Ukiyo-e
Sumo
Medium:
Woodblock print
Format:
Oban

Description

Sankai Mitate Sumo — a "comparison" or "mimicry" sumo print — was a popular genre in Edo woodblock publishing in which wrestlers were matched or compared to marine creatures, mountains, or other natural subjects. This print likely stages a formal comparison between wrestlers from different stables or provinces, the sumo imagery filtered through the conceit of the mitate (substitution) format.

More Prints by Utagawa Hiroshige

Cranes in flight by Utagawa Hiroshige

Cranes in flight

n.d.

Color woodblock print; nagaban, surimono

Driving Rain at Shōno, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaidō by Utagawa Hiroshige

Driving Rain at Shōno, from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaidō

1833

color woodblock print

Kanda Myojin by Utagawa Hiroshige

Kanda Myojin

Woodblock print

Komagata Temple & Azuma Bridge by Utagawa Hiroshige

Komagata Temple & Azuma Bridge

More Sumo Prints

Poem by Ōe no Masafusa: Mukandayū Atsumori and Princess Tamaori by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Poem by Ōe no Masafusa: Mukandayū Atsumori and Princess Tamaori

ca. 1845-48

Print

Beginning of Sumoö by Kajita Hanko

Beginning of Sumoö

Woodblock print

Parade of Sumo Wrestlers by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Parade of Sumo Wrestlers

Woodblock print

Frogs Wrestling by Ohara Koson

Frogs Wrestling

c. 1928–1930

Woodblock print, ink and color on paper

Frequently Asked Questions

Sankai Mitate Sumo was created by Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重).

Sankai Mitate Sumo depicts sumo.