Sumo Wrestling A4 Riso Print

Sumo is considered to be the national sport of Japan and has a rich history of ancient traditions and rituals. Wrestlers, called 力士 (rikishi), compete in six divisions as administered by the Japan Sumo Association. When a rikishi reaches the second highest division, 十両 (juryō), he is considered to be a professional and earns a salary along with significant privileges. The top division, 幕内 (makuuchi), consists of 42 wrestlers who compete in regular tournaments to win the coveted Emperor's Cup.

Sumo is long thought by many foreigners to be mysterious and difficult to understand, but the basic rules are simple—a wrestler loses a match when any part of his body other than the soles of his feet touches the ground, or if he steps outside the 土俵 (dohyō).

My riso print depicts iconic elements of the sumo sport. They include: 手形 (tegata, rikishi handprint signature), 焼き鳥 (yakitori, chicken skewers), お土産 (omiyage, souvenir), のぼり旗 (noborihata, standing flag), 力士 (rikishi, sumo wrestler), タイ (tai, sea bream), 座布団 (zabuton, floor cushion), ちゃんこ鍋 (chankonabe, hot pot stew), 柝 (taku, wooden clappers), 廻し (mawashi, wrestler belt), 天皇賜杯 (tennoushihai, Emperor's Cup), 浴衣 (yukata, wrestler robe), 弓 (yumi, bow), 呼出 (yobidashi, ring announcer), 塩かご (shiokago, salt basket), 行司 (gyōji, referee), 綱 (tsuna, yokozuna ceremony belt), 応援タオル (ouen-taoru, cheering towel), 軍配 (gunbai, signalling fan), 化粧廻し (keshō-mawashi, ceremonial apron), 懸賞金 (kenshōkin, prize money). Also featured are nods to rikishi 白鵬 (Hakuho), 高安(Takayasu), 霧島 (Kirishima), and 照ノ富士 (Terunofuji).

Printed in dark navy federal blue and orange inks.

What is a riso print?

These prints use risograph technology, a method of printing developed in Japan in the mid-1980s. It can be described as a mix between screenprinting and photocopying. The risograph process produces prints with extremely vibrant, crisp inks, and sometimes these inks overlap during the printing process to create interesting and unique details. These soy-based inks also have a lower environmental impact.

Product details

Printed in Glasgow, UK by the world-famous Risotto print studio. Each print is A4 size (210 x 297 mm / 8.27 x 11.69 in) and printed on heavyweight 300gsm Munken Lynx paper. 100% recycled and FSC® Recycled certified.  

Each print is signed with a traditional Japanese ‘hanko’ artist stamp. Prints are packaged in cello bags with rigid cardboard inserts and shipped in flat mailers. 

Please note that frames are not included. 

Delivery times & prices

We ship worldwide. 日本へ国際郵便で送ります。

• UK deliveries: 3-4 working days via Royal Mail 1st class

• International deliveries available via Royal Mail International Standard Airmail

• Prices calculated during checkout For more information on shipping times for international deliveries, please check the delivery & returns page.