Extremely Rare Carved Wooden Gosho as Sumo Wrestler, Circa 1880

Live Auction

6 1/2" (17 cm.) l. 5"h. 6"w. hips. All carved wood with immensely large round head and buttocks depicted in pose as sumo wrestler, overall gofun finish with painted facial features centered in the middle of face, well-defined knee wrinkles, curled hands, toes and fingers (both upper and lower sides), sexed, ears, and wonderful sculpted facial features including deeply-set outlined eye sockets, incised slits for human hair locks at sides of forehead and nape, and wearing his original silk bib (haragaka) with unusual painted designs and with cord and tassel ties at his back. Generally excellent, one hair forelock replaced, minor gofun lift line at back of right arm. Early Meiji era, circa 1880. The gosho is depicted in Ningyo, The Art of the Japanese Doll by Alan Scott Pate, page 64, and in the Japanese language book featuring the collection of well-known Japanese collector, Tadayoshi Takehi. The theme of this gosho, is extremely rare, further enhancing his wonderful facial expression and robust body.