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 - Handsome still life of an octopus, seam bream, and bonito, seafoods traditionally served at New Year. The scales of the fish and tentacles of the octopus are carefully detailed, set against a softly shaded blue ground. One of the two poems above reads:

The colorful fish
at the first dawn of the New Year
have been pulled in
with nets of spring mist.
An interesting design and the only known image to date by this artist.

Artist - Setsuri (active circa 1820s)

Image Size - 7 7/8' x 7"

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