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.

Tobosaku and the Peaches of Immortality Surimono - Unusual surimono illustration of the man Tobosaku stealing peaches that are from the Tree of the Gods. The fruit would bestow immortality upon anyone who ate it. The peaches had been given to the emperor by the Taoist Goddess Seiobo, the Celestial Queen of the West. Here, he looks furtively over his shoulder as he grabs a peach with each hand, making sure that no one is watching him. A fan lies on the checked patterned floor at his feet, and a curtain is gathered at the left edge of the scene. Beautifully detailed with an embossed pattern on the background at left, and accents of metallic pigment that have oxidized to a dark toning. The first time we've seen this interesting subject.

Artist - Shigenobu (1787 - 1832)

Image Size - 8 3/8" x 7 3/8"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Backed with paper. Slight toning and soiling, slight rubbing at edges, a few spots. Please see photos for details.