A rare ivory netsuke of a boy sumô wrestler. Early 19th century - image-1

Lot 316 R‡α

A rare ivory netsuke of a boy sumô wrestler. Early 19th century

Auction 1157 - overview Cologne
27.06.2020, 11:00 - Asian Art
Estimate: 1.400 € - 1.800 €
Result: 1.500 € (incl. premium)
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A rare ivory netsuke of a boy sumô wrestler. Early 19th century

Laughing, standing in walking position, slightly bending his small but already massive body forward while grabbing his keshômawashi (brocade belt) with his right hand as he seems to be entering the dohyô (ring).
Height 3.8 cm

Children's sumô wrestling was already popular at public events by the Meiwa period (1764-1772). These fights were very close to those of adults in terms of organization and equipment. Still today, for example on the occasion of the Chrysanthemum Festival (or: Choyo no Sekku), on September 9th at the Kamigamo Jinja Shrine in Kyôto sumô wrestling fights are fought by boys (karasu-zumo). Because of their innocence these fights are organized as a gift to the gods for protection against evil spirits.

Provenance

Collection Karl-Ludwig Kley

Literature

Publ. in: Rosemary Bandini, Tiny Titans. The sumo netsuke collection of Karl-Ludwig Kley, Hong Kong 2006, p. 61, no. 71
Rokusho, 2000/vol. 6, p.16
Cf. a similar carving signed (Kyoto) Masanao in: Raymond Bushell, Netsuke Familiar and Unfamiliar, Tokyo 1975, no. 760