A ca. 1850
Japanese woodblock print of Somagahana Fuchiemon, a
sumo wrestler. The Japanese tradition of sumo is an ancient one, having originally been associated with the
Shinto religion. Over time it evolved into a form of
wrestling combat, and then into a sport. Most of the current rules of the sport developed in the early
Edo period. Current professional sumo tournaments began in the
Tomioka Hachiman Shrine in 1684, and then were held in the
Ekō-in in the Edo period. They have been held in the
Ryōgoku Kokugikan since 1909.Artist:
Kunisada