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 - Intriguing surimono print of two animals performing in human clothing, an example of "giga" or comic pictures. At right, a bear strums a shamisen, while a boar sits behind a lectern at left, chanting or singing with a fan in hand. Each is formally dressed in a kamishimo over a kimono. They sit on a platform under a reed blind with paper lanterns hanging overhead. A charming subject with delicate embossing along the edges of the softly shaded clouds framing the scene.

Artist - Setsuri (active circa 1820s)

Image Size - 8 3/4" x 7 3/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight toning, a few small spots, faint crease at corner. Please see photos for details. Good overall.