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 - Charming surimono featuring items you might find on a geisha's dressing stand, including a hairpin in a black lacquer box, a small ceramic bowl for lip color, and a length of shibori dyed silk. Nicely detailed with embossing and burnishing.

Artist - Hidenobu (active 1805 - 1825)

Image Size - Approximately 8" x 8 1/2"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Some slight toning. Please see photos for details. Very nice overall.