Woodblock Prints 15


It is Good to Dig a New Well, from the series A Series for the Hanazono Circle by Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850), Edo period, circa 1824 © Museum Rietberg


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EDO TO SHOWA: Fine 18th – 20th Century Japanese Prints; and Contemporary Paintings 1−5 November 2025


Exhibition location: Sotheby’s 34−35 New Bond Street London, W1A 2AA


Kabuki fans, on the other hand,


used surimono to mark major performances and the birthdays of famous actors. Tese prints offered an effective means for stars, who were celebrated not only as gifted actors but also as fashion and beauty icons, to promote themselves to their fans and the public. Kabuki was always a popular


subject matter for these prints. An outing to the theatre usually took a whole day as plays were normally only performed during daylight hours. Teatre-goers could buy their tickets at one of the teahouses near the theatre and, if they could not afford a box, would site in the square partitions on the main floor of the theatre. Te teahouse also supplied them with a programme and a mat to sit on, as well as providing them with tea, snacks, and lunchboxes. Specific surimono were also


commissioned when an actor from a well-known family changed their name. Te majority of this type of surimono show kabuki actors in the most important scenes in the plays they performed, their most famous character roles, and famous poses, although the name of the play or the character portrayed are not recorded on the surimono. Te Ichikawa family was probably the most famous acting dynasty of the Edo period, and their leading actors all took the name ‘Ichikawa Danjuro’. Te patriarch of the family, Ichikawa Danjuro I (1660-1704), was born in the theatre district in Edo and made his debut at the age of 12 in the role of the strongman Sakata Kintaro. He is credited with the arrogoto (bravura) style of acting in which the swashbuckling hero or ruffian overpowers his enemies. Tese prints were printed to reflect


all seasons, yet most of the extant prints are New Year’s cards – a time when friendships were reaffirmed and neglected personal relationships rekindled. New Year surimono reveal which symbols were particularly popular at the turn of the year as well as what actions were considered auspicious. Tis was a time of spiritual renewal and rest, as well as taking care of practical affairs, like


housecleaning and settling


financial debts. Special activities and festivals connected with welcoming an auspicious beginning to the New Year occur over a period of several days. Exchanging surimono with friends at the poetry clubs would be


Isoda Koryusai (1735−1790) A courtesan standing beside a folding screen, with her client under a mosquito net Woodblock print, circa 1770 25.8 x 18.7 cm.


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Making Paper, Edo period (1823) by Sonsai Koitsu, (active circa 1820-40) © Museum Rietberg


just one of these seasonal activities. From today’s viewpoint, they also offer valuable insight into everyday life and the material culture of the urban bourgeoisie in Japan during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as they often depicted household decorations, special food and drink that was prepared for the family and guests, and other seasonal customs. Manzai (New Year’s) dancers, lion


dances, and monkey trainers with their dancing monkeys are popular subject matter for surimono. Te zodiac animals were favourites – monkeys especially so in the year of the monkey. A period of 60 years was considered a full life cycle in Japan as this is how long it took to complete the zodiac style combining the 12 animals with the five elements. Traditionally, you would begin counting anew after reaching the age of 60. Te zodiac animal associated with the coming year was included in some way on calendar prints, with 12 objects chosen to represent the different length months sometimes being included in the design. Surimono bring the social and


cultural side of Edo society to life through the careful choice of their design, materials used, and poems and wishes presented on the cards. Tis exhibition allows the view, to glimpse


• Until 12 July 2026, Rietberg Museum, Zurich, rietberg.ch


for conservational purposes, from 26 Sept to 15 Feb 2026 and 19 Feb to 12 July 2026


themes used in these printed cards revealing the fashions, trends of the time.


• The exhibition is divided into two and the surimono exchanged


that world through the tastes, and


Buy online at www.marg-art.org


Price: $69.95 / `2800 156 pages 100 illustrations


Te volume explores the sense of wonder that permeated textile design, manuscript illustration and perfume production in the Deccan.


ASIAN ART | OCTOBER 2025 WATCH


John T Carpenter discuss poetry


related to Kabuki


prints on surimono and other prints


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