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 - A fantastic surimono design by artist Hokkei, who specialized in surimono. A large male pheasant fills the page with bright plumage on his back and a spray of grasses and delicately embossed flowers behind him. The border running across the top features images of the takaramono or precious things, such as a magic hat and magic mallet. The calligraphy above the bird offers a poem. A lovely, classic piece.

Artist - Hokkei (1780 - 1850)

Image Size - 7 3/4" x 7 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent with no issues to report.