A precious print made by famous "ukiyoe" artist, Sharaku, recently discovered at a second-hand book store in Tokyo, is now attracting attention of connoisseurs and ukiyoe collectors.
    Sharaku, whose true name was Jurobe Saito, lived some 160 years ago although the dates of his birth and death are not known.
    It was not until Dr. Kurt of Germany published his study of Sharaku in 1910 that his works became famous throughout the world. It is said that more than 150 works of Sharaku have been brought by foreign visitors to Japan, and it is now very difficult to find any of the rest here.
    The newly-discovered work is a portrait of a professional "sumo" wrestler, Daido-zan, who weighed some 160 pounds when he went to the ring at the age of eight. Daido-zan was reportedly a favorite wrestler those days.
    The precious article will be exhibited at the Ukiyoe Exhibition which is scheduled to start January 17 at the Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nihonbashi, Tokyo.
    (Photo shows the work by Sharaku).