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. These fine quality suriomono reprints offer a great way to collect these classic designs at an affordable price.

Men Dancing to Shamisen Music Surimono - Amusing surimono scene of two men comically dancing as a beauty plays the shamisen. The woman looks rather against as one of her companions thrusts an arm out near her, the men contorting their bodies in strange poses. A candle burns on a stand at right. Nicely detailed with embossing on the beauty's obi and collar, and to indicate folds on the man's dark gray kimono, and metallic pigment that has oxidized to a dark tone on the candlestick. The first time we've seen this design in reprint.

Artist - Hokkei (1780 - 1850)

Image Size - 8 1/4" x 7 1/4"

Condition - This print with nice detail as shown. A few creases. Please see photos for details.