Tabakszak met gordelknoop en pruimenbloesem

About this artwork

Een surimono is een luxe uitgevoerde prent waarop beeld met één of meerdere gedichten gecombineerd is. Bij het drukken van een surimono werd vaak gebruik gemaakt van dikker papier, blinddruk en metaal pigmenten, zoals koper- en zilverpoeder. De prenten werden vaak in opdracht van dichters gemaakt en als exclusief geschenk aan vrienden en relaties gegeven.

Art Historical Context

**Tabakszak met gordelk en pruimenbloesem** (Tobacco Pouch with Sash Knot and Plumossoms), created by Totoya Hokkei 1818, is a delicate *nishikie* woodblock measuring just 208 mm high by 181 mm wide. Hok, a prominent ukiyo-e artist and pupil of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai, masterfully captures everyday elegance in this intimate scene. The composition features a tobacco pouch adorned with a gordelknoop (obi sash knot) and blooming plum blossoms, symbols of renewal and the fleeting beauty of spring in Japanese culture. This work exemplifies a *surimono*, a luxurious privately commissioned print that blends vivid imagery with poetry—though the poems here are not specified. Produced on thicker paper for superior quality, it employs advanced techniques like metallic pigments (such as copper and silver powders) for shimmering effects and blindprinting (embossing) to add subtle texture, elevating it beyond standard prints. These methods made surimono exclusive treasures, often gifted by poets to close friends and patrons during the Edo period. Hokkei's print reflects the refined tastes of 19th-century Japan's literati circles, where art and verse intertwined to celebrate personal connections. Its small scale invites close contemplation, showcasing ukiyo-e's ("pictures of the floating world") prowess in transforming the mundane into poetry. A gem of technical innovation and cultural intimacy! (198 words)

About the Artist

Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850

Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...