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.

Farewell Gift for the Horse - Handsome surimono print depicting a bright orange pipe case with attached tobacco pouch resting against a round food box. Delicate embossing creates a textured surface on the tobacco set, the braided cord, and the round bamboo container. Nicely detailed.

Artist - Hokusai (1760 - 1849)

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.