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 depicting items representing the Aoi chapter of the famous "Tale of Genji." An aoi vine with heart-shaped leaves lies on the ground beneath a black eboshi court cap. A hand drum rests on a stand at right, with a branch of cherry blossoms behind it. The petals of the flowers are rendered with embossed lines, a nice detail.

Artist - Shinsai (circa 1764 - 1823)

Image Size - 8 1/2" x 7" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Light toning, small wrinkles, a few stains. Please see photos for details.