Japanese Woodblock 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.

Comments - Beautiful surimono design of azaleas growing alongside a stream with a brushwood garden fence at lower right. Blossoms in plum, peach and white contrast with green foliage in a handsome asymmetrical composition balanced be a verse in calligraphy at left. Interestingly, the white blossoms do not have a black outline. A lovely and rare original Hokusai surimono and a fine choice for a collector.

Artist - Hokusai (1760 - 1849)

Image Size - 7 1/2" x 20 3/4"

Condition - This print with good color and detail as shown. Vertical folds. Slight toning and rubbing, a few creases and small spots. Please see photos for details.