Japanese Woodblock 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 Meiji era surimono are rare in the market today.

Driving Away Demons at New Year's Surimono - Terrific depiction of the tradition of setsubun, the custom of tossing roasted soybeans in the New Year to chase away evil spirits and welcome in good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Here, a samurai grimaces angrily as he pelts three small horned demons with beans, the creatures running away in fright, one clutching his horns in pain. The warrior wears a blue kamishimo with a crane crest on the sleeves, the motif repeated on his red kimono. A shimenawa, a sacred length of rope used for ritual purification in Shinto, hangs overhead. A fantastic design, beautifully color and detailed.

Artist - Meiji era artist (not read)

Image Size - 16 1/2" x 21"

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Vertical centerfold. Thinning areas, repaired. Creasing throughout, vertical wrinkles. Please see photos for details.