Antique Sumo Wrestlers Roster Poster (Banzuke style), 1852 Japanese Wo

Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
Frame Material: Durable pine wood.
Frame Measurements: 20-25mm (0.79"-0.98") thick, 10-14mm (0.4"-0.6") wide.
Paper Weight: 200 gsm (80 lb), thickness: 0.22 mm (8.7 mils).
Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, non-reflective surface.
Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the poster.
Sustainable Paper: FSC-certified materials or equivalent.

This is a fascinating Japanese woodblock print from 1852 by the artist Utagawa Yoshikazu. The artwork serves as a visual guide or roster of the top-ranked sumo wrestlers of the era, laid out in a dense and orderly grid. Each small panel features a portrait of a wrestler in his unique ceremonial apron (keshō-mawashi), allowing fans to identify the champions. Functioning like a modern sports program or a poster of collectible cards, this print is a wonderful example of the commercial and popular side of the Ukiyo-e tradition, catering to the passionate fans of Japan's national sport.

Historical Tidbit

This print is a pictorial version of a banzuke, the official ranking list published before each Grand Sumo Tournament. A traditional banzuke is a revered document, painstakingly handwritten over several days by master calligraphers in a special, dense script. On this formal ranking sheet, the higher a wrestler's rank, the larger and more prominent their name is written. These lists were (and still are) eagerly purchased by fans to follow the tournament. This woodblock print by Yoshikazu offered a more decorative and visual alternative for fans to display, serving as a "who's who" of the sumo superstars of 1852.

Our sturdy wooden framed posters come ready to hang and are printed on heavyweight white matte paper with a smooth, luxurious finish—designed to stand the test of time: