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. These fine quality suriomono reprints offer a great way to collect these classic designs at an affordable price.

Comments - Lovely surimono print of a young beauty holding a letter and a brush, an ink stone on the lacquer stand next to her and a planter with pheasant's eye shoots. A square basket on the floor before her holds faintly embossed bamboo shoots. The scene is a parody of one of the famous "Twenty-four Examples of Filial Piety," the young man Moso (Meng Zong) who digs bamboo shoots for his mother in winter. Nicely detailed with touches of metallic pigment that have oxidized to a darker tone. An attractive image.

Woodblock reprints - In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Woodblock reprints were an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original. They still are today.

Artist - Hokkei (1780 - 1850)

Image Size - 8 1/4" x 7"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. A few holes, repaired. Slight toning, slight soiling and a couple light creases at edges. Please see photos for details.