Urashima Taro Surimono

by Gyokuen (active circa 1851 - 1875)

Current Status

Urashima Taro Surimono by Gyokuen (active circa 1851 - 1875)

Gyokuen (active circa 1851 - 1875) Japanese Woodblock Reprint
Urashima Taro Surimono

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 - Terrific surimono depicting the classic tale of the fisherman Urashima Taro. After rescuing a turtle he was rewarded with a visit to the Dragon Palace under the sea. Upon his return a few days later, he discovered that although he was still a young man, many years had passed. The Dragon Princess had given him a box, telling him not to open it, but when he did, he suddenly turned into an old man, as the box had contained his old age. The startled fisherman looks up in surprise, still holding the lid of the fine black lacquer box. His hair and beard are white, and his face wrinkled. Waves lap against the shore and a fishing pole rests on the beach behind him. A wonderful illustration for this famous tale, with fine embossing in the box, the red tasseled cord, and the beard.

Artist - Gyokuen (active circa 1851 - 1875)

Image Size - 7" x 8 1/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight toning, a few small spots and marks. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

Urashima Taro Surimono by Gyokuen (active circa 1851 - 1875)
Urashima Taro Surimono by Gyokuen (active circa 1851 - 1875)

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