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 - Attractive surimono image of a young woman daydreaming as she sits at a fulling block for beating cloth, her tools temporarily set aside. A small boy holds an insect cage, and a full moon is just visible above the clouds. Gourds hanging from a vine frame the scene at right. A lovely design.

Artist - Hokusai (1760 - 1849)

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

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse at edges from previous mounting. Toning, soiling, a few wrinkles and stains. Please see photos for details.