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 - Beautiful surimono of a sake kettle and shallow red lacquer cup for celebrating the New Year. Delicate embossed detail outlines the filmy white cloth surrounding the cup, and the kettle features silver mica pine on the handle and spout, and silver mica bamboo leaves on the side. The centers of the flowers inside the sake cup are also detailed in silver mica. An attractive image.

Artist - Gakutei (1786 - 1868)

Image Size - 8 3/4" x 7 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Paper remnant on reverse at top edge from previous mounting. Slight toning and spotting. Please see photos for details. Good overall.