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. Many high-quality reprints of these great designs were published during the Meiji era.

A Special 1931 Group - These lovely prints come from a series of fifty classic surimono designs reprinted by the publisher Daito in 1931. Like the originals, many include deluxe embellishments, like embossing and metallic pigments. These fascinating and beautifully printed images continue to delight collectors today.

Comments - Interesting surimono of a samurai general seated on a stool. He wears full armor and battle helmet, and holds a fan in one hand. A retainer behind him carries his red standard with a dragon on it. Nicely detailed.

Artist - 19th century artist (not read)

Image Size - 8 1/2" x 7 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Slight paper remnants or thinning on reverse at edges from previous folio mounting. Light toning. Most prints have slight soiling or a few small spots, a few have slight creasing near edges. Please see photos for a sense of individual condition. Generally in good condition overall.