Surimono - Surimono are an exclusive subcategory of Japanese woodblock prints. Poetry clubs commissioned these designs for distribution to a small audience of members, most often as New Year's greetings. These privately published images included a wonderful range of subjects and lavish printing techniques such as embossing, burnishing, and metallic pigments. Since surimono were not sold commercially, the print runs were very small and original Edo era surimono are incredibly rare in the market today.

During the 1890s, publishers reprinted some of the most popular designs by famous artists like Hokkei, Gakutei, Hokusai and others. In keeping with the surimono tradition, the Meiji printings were equally exquisite, printed with the finest inks and embellished with embossing, lacquered pigments, and other design features. In some cases, the original Edo era prints no longer exist, making the Meiji reprints the only record of these subjects. These fascinating and beautifully printed images continue to delight collectors today.

Bird Perched on a Mortar and Pestle Surimono - Attractive surimono of a bird perched on a mortar and pestle with a sprig of greenery below, from a series of designs for the Shipporen poetry circle. The bird's feathers are carefully detailed with heavy embossing at the edge of the tail and on the bird's beak. An interesting surimono subject we've never seen in reprint before.

Artist - Hokkei (1780 - 1850)

Image Size - Approximately 8" x 9" (not measured individually)

Condition - With excellent color and detail. A few with some light toning or spotting in subject, please see photos for details. No holes, tears or other damages. Please see photos for details. Very nice overall.