Work Title: Sumo Wrestlers Group Portrait Sumo-e (相撲絵) Artist: Gyokuhasai (玉波斎，the artist’s art name) Technique: Woodblock Print Artist's Signature on the Print: Included Paper Size: 25 × 37.8 cm (9.84 × 14.88 in) Paper Material: Washi (和紙) Publisher: Enryō (燕梁) The original version of this ukiyo-e woodblock print was created during the Meiwa period (明和時代) of the Edo period (江戸時代) in Japan, and officially published in 1766. The piece offered in this auction is a reprint dating back to the 1900s (early 20th century). The composition depicts a vibrant group portrait of sumo (相撲) wrestlers. At the center stands a burly top-ranked wrestler, clad in a lavishly decorated traditional sumo loincloth known as fundoshi (裈，こん)—an attire befitting elite wrestlers of high rank. Surrounding him are other wrestlers, referees, and attendants. The deep blue backdrop paired with red accents (such as swords and decorative patterns) is a classic setting for Edo-period sumo arenas. The vertical inscriptions on the print (e.g., “Konishiki Hachijūgo” (小錦八十五), “Migihatsu Hachisuji” (右鵠八筋)) denote the wrestlers’ ring names and places of origin, a standard convention for identifying figures in sumo-themed ukiyo-e. Inscription Details Upper right corner: Gyokuhasai (玉波斎) Lower right corner (two sections of text): Right column: “Meiwa San-nen Hachi-gatsu Nijūroku-nichi Hakkō” (明和三年八月廿六日 発行), which records the original publication date: August 26, 1766 (the 3rd year of the Meiwa era). Left column: “Zen In Enryō Gyōja” (全 印 燕 梁 行者), indicating the publisher “Enryō” (燕梁); followed by “Nihonbashi Kyōmachi Daidono Heikichi Hyō Ki Heikichi” (日本橋 京町 大戸 平吉 表 木 平吉), which is believed to be the information of the distributor or printing house. With a history of over a century, this print exhibits natural aging signs due to the passage of time, including paper oxidation and yellowing, mold spots, creases, and insect damage. - The picture is part of the description. The color of the item may be slightly different from the picture (due to camera and screen settings). - The successful bidder will be responsible for any customs duties and taxes (if applicable). - This item will be mailed by the postal service of Taiwan in the form of airmail with insurance attached.