Very good condition overall with vivid colors and sharp lines. There is very minor insect damage and slight creasing in the paper consistent with age. The image remains clean and visually strong.
This sumō-e portrait print by Utagawa Kuniteru I depicts the wrestler Kaizan Tarō (海山太郎), a powerful figure rendered in the bold and expressive style associated with late Edo to early Meiji-period sumo imagery.
Created circa 1865–1875, the composition emphasizes the wrestler’s imposing presence through strong linework, detailed costume patterns, and dramatic posture. Prints of this type were popular among sumo fans and collectors, serving both as portraits of famous wrestlers and as commemorative works tied to the growing popularity of professional sumo.
Printed using traditional ukiyo-e woodblock techniques, the piece retains strong color and clarity, highlighting the craftsmanship of the period.
A well-preserved example of Japanese sumō-e, suitable for collectors of ukiyo-e, sports history, and Edo–Meiji period prints.
