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.

During the 1890s, publishers reprinted some of the most popular designs by famous artists like Hokkei, Gakutei, Hokusai and others. In keeping with the surimono tradition, the Meiji printings were equally exquisite, printed with the finest inks and embellished with embossing, lacquered pigments, and other design features. In some cases, the original Edo era prints no longer exist, making the Meiji reprints the only record of these subjects. These fascinating and beautifully printed images continue to delight collectors today.

Comments - Wonderful surimono of a fan patterned with a magnificent peacock design. The circular inset at left shows a beauty holding a folding fan. The peacock and woman's face are beautifully drawn with delicate lines. Nicely detailed with touches of embossing and a metallic gold pigment in the circular inset that has oxidized to a dark tone. A lovely subject and a handsome choice for any surimono collector. The poem by Asanoya Naonari reads:

Along with the birds
hopping to and fro, the sun's
long tail-feather rays
bring out the golden luster
of this jeweled first day of spring.

Artist - Gakutei (1786 - 1868)

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

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse at top edge from previous mounting. A few small losses and tears, repaired. Slight toning and soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.