Japanese Sumo Wrestling is one of the oldest martial arts in Japan. Sumo wrestlers were a favorite subject on Japanese woodblock prints. Sumo wrestling is enjoying rising popularity - comparable to basketball in North America or soccer in Europe. Sumo has its roots in the Shinto religion. The matches were dedicated to the gods in prayers for a good harvest. The oldest written records date back to the 8th century. But the early forms of the Sumo tradition are probably more than 1500 years. Sumo prints from the 18th and 19th century prove the popularity of the sport in the past. During the last two decades the art of Sumo wrestling was able to establish itself even outside of Japan. Akebono, an American born in Hawaii, became the first American champion to reach the highest rank. This is the premiere of famous Japanese woodblock prints depicted on a legal tender coin.