Sumo Fight - Bronze By Inosuke Yamaguchi - 1898 -1970

Astonishing and rare sculpture featuring two sumo wrestlers. This is "atari", the moment where the two fighters who have just launched come into violent contact. The geometrization and simplification of the masses creates the sensation of power, the interweaving of the wrestlers.
dated 1966 - Bronze with black patina - Signed. Mention "Kashiwado", name of one of the most famous sumo wrestlers (1938-96). Some wear and micro roughness to the patina (ankles, back).

The sculptor: began as a wood carver for Buddhist temples. In his early works we encounter busts of temple guardians, Kannon and Noh masks. Then he learned from Shin Naito (Nobu) 1887-1967. Master sought after for the softness and elegance of his pieces, his work with multiple micro-facets on the surface of the wood. (Inosuke will adapt the principle combining faceted surfaces and powerful geometry.)
Member of the Academy of Arts 1933 - awarded at the annual Bunten competition (Japanese Academy of Arts). After the war, he specialized in sumo sculpture. (According to his son), he loved the sumo wrestling lifestyle, which involves developing power in a
near nudity. This allows the sculptor to study masses, lines of force, balance and imbalance, contours, etc.
He represented many sumo wrestlers he was close to, such as Tochiwaka, who was at his peak. It was about art and friendly and respectful relations between high-level athletes and a master sculptor.
Exhibited 24 times at the Nitten (Japanese Academy of Arts exhibition) - Member of the Japan Sculpture society - Numerous prizes and medals between 1939-65
Sculpture at the entrance to the Ryogoku Kokugikan (large sumo wrestling hall). Received the Yellow Ribbon Medal in 1969.
Works at the Sumo Museum in Tokyo.
He participated in an important sculptured ensemble at the Oishi shrine temple – (representation of Kin’emon
Okano carpenter poet – kept in the treasure room).
- There is a version with an antique green patina of this work.
An illustrated biographical note on the artite will be given to the buyer.
The sculpture is in its original box (in pawlownia) 37.5 x 32 x 22.3 cm. 7,8 kg - transport DHL.