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.

Ono no Komachi Viewing a Cherry Tree - Lovely surimono print depicting the Heian era poet Ono no Komachi on a deck viewing the blossoming cherry trees. She pauses at the top of the stairs, holding a folding fan behind her head, her long robes trailing across the floor beside her. The portrait is bordered with a floral print on a tan background, with two vertical insets with verses at left. Beautifully detailed with extensive embossing. A handsome design we've never come across in reprint before.

Artist - Gakutei (1786 - 1868)

Image Size - 7" x 8 1/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Paper remnants on reverse at edges from previous mounting. Slight toning. Please see photos for details. Nice condition overall.