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.

Mt. Fuji Surimono - Dramatic surimono design of majestic Mt. Fuji in subtle shades of blue and blue gray. The silver mica on the snow-covered peak has oxidized to a gray tone, while the flowing clouds below feature oxidized dark gold mica. A few clouds streak across the sky in lightly embossed lines. This design comes from Hokkei's untitled series of three New Year's surimono featuring "Three Lucky Dreams." A person who dreamed of Mt. Fuji, eggplants in a basket, and a falcon on a perch (the other two subjects in the series), at New Year's, was believed to be lucky in the coming year. A stunning design.

Artist - Hokkei (1780 - 1850)

Image Size - 8" x 7 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Toning, slight soiling, a few creases at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.