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 - Interesting surimono depicting a hanging scroll featuring and image of an elderly man and a crane. The figure appears on a light brown background with strong wood grain impression and simulated worm damage to suggest age. The wooden scroll box at left is embossed. Nice detail in the elegant fabrics of the scroll.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Image Size - 8 5/8" x 8"

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