Original Sumo Wrestler Sketch (1974) and Detailed Geisha Farewell Card (1975) - Lynn Matsuoka - Japan

Milton Glaser famously called Matsuoka “the world's greatest living reportage artist”, a title she earned through rapid, minimalist motion sketches.

-1- Lynn Matsuoka (as Lynn Sturm Levy) – Original Sumo Wrestler Sketch (1974). An original, hand-signed early work by the internationally acclaimed reportage artist Lynn Matsuoka (b. 1946). This piece dates from her earliest years in Japan and is uniquely hand-signed and dated under her early professional name, Lynn Sturm Levy, predating her marriage into the Sumo world.

Subject: Original minimalist graphite outline sketch of a sumo wrestler.

Dimensions: Approx. 23.8 cm x 17.8 cm (9.4” x 7").

Signature: Hand-signed and dated "Lynn Sturm Levy 1974" in the lower corner.

Framing: Housed in its premium, authentic vintage professional Japanese frame with a custom mat board. The back remains sealed with original Japanese framing attributes.

Condition: Very Good. The graphite remains distinct on clean paper. The frame shows minor, attractive vintage wear appropriate for its 50-year age but is structurally sound and display-ready.

Family Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist in Tokyo, Japan. This piece has been safely preserved in continuous, single-family private custody since its creation. 

Note: The final photos in the listing gallery show a third, larger numbered print from a 1974 Jesse Takamiyama series. This item is being retained by the family and is NOT included in the sale; it is pictured strictly as absolute visual proof of provenance and signature verification.

-2- Lynn Matsuoka (as Lynn Sturm Levy) – Detailed Geisha Farewell Card (1975). An original studio ink drawing executed on a long, continuous sheet of paper integrated into a personal going-away/farewell card gifted directly to my parents in Tokyo the year they left — we lived there 1971 to 1975.

Subject: A stunning, highly detailed studio ink drawing of a Geisha. Features intricate, dense stroke work highlighting the traditional nihongami hairstyle and kimono drapery. It stands in brilliant stylistic contrast to her more minimalist sports reportage sketches.

Dimensions: Approx. 18 cm x 16 cm (7.1” x 6.3”).

Signature: Hand-signed and dated "Lynn Sturm Levy 1975".

Condition: Good to Very Good. The fine-line ink work remains incredibly sharp with high contrast. The paper displays natural, light vintage age-toning. No structural tears or deep creases intersect the main artwork.

Note: The final photos in the listing gallery show a third, larger numbered print from a 1974 Jesse Takamiyama series. This item is being retained by the family and is NOT included in the sale; it is pictured strictly as absolute visual proof of provenance and signature verification.