Wrestler
5th–6th century
Medium
Earthenware
Dimensions
63.4 × 38.4 × 22 cm (25 × 15 1/8 × 8 5/8 in.)
Classification
ritual objects
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
200696
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This wrestler or rikishi is wearing a simple headband and a wrestler’s harness. He stands solidly on two feet, with a hand on his hip and the other raised to show his strength. His chest is particularly barrel-shaped, harking back to the simple tube-shaped haniwa, from which more elaborate forms developed. The right foot is a recent restoration. Other haniwa in the form of wrestlers exist. Though the precise role of wrestling in this period is unclear, it is mentioned in the first written recor...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...