Books and Cards - Reisai

A refined Japanese surimono woodblock print by Reisai, depicting a stack of books and illustrated cards with delicate floral motifs.

This woodblock print by the artist Reisai belongs to the genre of surimono, a form of privately commissioned, limited-edition print often exchanged among members of poetry circles during the Edo period. Unlike commercial prints produced for the mass market, surimono were crafted with high-quality materials, including metallic pigments and embossing, to demonstrate the refined taste of the patron.

The composition depicts a stack of books bound in a decorative textile cover, accompanied by two cards. The textile pattern on the book cover features stylised floral motifs in shades of blue, gold, and muted red. One card leans against the books, displaying a delicate illustration of a plum branch, while the other lies flat, showing a small basket and a bird. The inclusion of calligraphy to the left of the objects suggests a connection to a specific poem or literary gathering, as was common in this format.

Reisai employs a clean, balanced arrangement that draws attention to the texture of the paper and the precision of the woodblock carving. The palette remains restrained, relying on the interplay between the cool blue tones of the book cover and the neutral background. The print demonstrates the technical skill required to render varied surfaces, from the woven appearance of the fabric to the smooth, flat surface of the cards. This work provides a glimpse into the sophisticated aesthetic culture of nineteenth-century Japan, where everyday objects were elevated through artistic representation and poetic association.