Daimon Kinoshita - 北の冨士土俵入り (Kitanofuji Ring-Entering Ceremony)

A fabulous woodblock print by Daimon Kinoshita: 北の冨士土俵入り (Kitanofuji Ring-Entering Ceremony). Kitanofuji Katsuaki (北の冨士勝昭, b. 1942), the 52nd Yokozuna, is shown performing the dohyō-iri. His immense figure is wrapped with the sacred white tsuna (綱) rope and hanging shide (紙垂), while the richly patterned kesho-mawashi in purple, red, and gold gives the image strong ceremonial presence. Kinoshita presents him in a powerful turning pose that suits one of the great Yokozuna of the post-war era. 🏯💪

• Year & Edition: c.1990s · Published by 京都版画院 (Kyoto Hanga-In). Carved by 松田寅葳 (Matsuda Torazo). Printed by 伊藤智郎 (Ito Tomoro). Margin inscriptions include “不許按製” (rights), 財団法人 日本相撲協会 (Japan Sumo Association), and copyright seals, with Kinoshita’s “Daimon” and edition seals below.
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
• Dimensions: Sheet W: 27.00 cm × H: 41.00 cm.
• Condition: Wonderfully stored; strong, beautiful colours, paper crisp & intact.
  
• Notes: Kitanofuji Katsuaki (北の冨士勝昭, b. 1942) was promoted to Yokozuna in 1970 and won 10 top-division yūshō during a distinguished career. One of the leading rikishi of the late 1960s and 1970s, he was especially known for his strong presence on the dohyō and later became an important figure in the sport as stablemaster of Kokonoe-beya. He also remained widely known to sumo audiences through his long career as a television commentator. Daimon Kinoshita comments on his website (www.daimon-e.sakura.ne.jp): 「第５2代横綱。」(52nd Yokozuna).

About the Artist

Born in Hokkaidō in 1946, Daimon Kinoshita is Japan’s foremost contemporary artist of sumo nishiki-e (錦絵). Since 1985 he has worked closely with the Japan Sumo Association, using authentic Edo-period ukiyo-e techniques and the traditional hanmoto system of artist, carver, and printer. His woodblock prints bring Yokozuna, Ōzeki, and rikishi to life in bold ceremonial portraits, often depicting the dohyō-iri (土俵入り) ring-entrance with mica (kirazuri) details that echo Edo traditions. Sold at the Kokugikan arena and presented to visiting dignitaries, Kinoshita’s works combine beauty, craft, and cultural significance, keeping the art of nishiki-e alive in the modern age. [ ← View All Works by Daimon Kinoshita]