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 - Fantastic design by the artist Hokkei, who specialized in surimono. A large male pheasant fills the page with bright plumage on his back and a spray of grasses and delicately embossed flowers behind him. The border running across the top features images of the takaramono or precious things, such as a magic hat and magic mallet. The calligraphy above the bird offers a poem. A lovely, classic piece.

Artist - Hokkei (1780 - 1850)

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

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Small hole. Toning, slight soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.