Daimon Kinoshita - 横綱照国土俵入り (Yokozuna Terukuni Manzō Ring-Entering Ceremony)

A fabulous woodblock print by Daimon Kinoshita: 横綱照国土俵入り (Yokozuna Terukuni Manzō Ring-Entering Ceremony). This striking portrait shows the 38th Yokozuna, Terukuni Manzō (照国万藏, 1919-1977), performing his dohyō-iri (土俵入り) ring-entering ceremony. He stands firm with imposing presence, the great white tsuna (綱) rope around his waist, its zig-zag shide (紙垂) falling dramatically across his body. 💪🎌

• Year & Edition: 1985 onward · Published by 京都版画院 (Kyoto Hanga-In). Carved by 木島重男 (Kishima Shigeo). Printed by 伊藤達也 (Ito Tatsuya). 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: Terukuni was promoted to Yokozuna in 1942 at just 23 years old, then the youngest to ever achieve the title. A supreme heavyweight (over 160 kg), he became known for powerful yotsu-zumo (四つ相撲) grappling techniques. Though he gained the rank during wartime, his first championship victory came in 1950, cementing his place in sumo history.  Daimon Kinoshita comments on his website (www.daimon-e.sakura.ne.jp): 「第３８代横綱。」 (“38th 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]