New Year Decoration and a Set of Bed-Clothing - Hachifusa Shūri

A refined Japanese surimono woodblock print featuring traditional New Year symbols, including a lobster and ceremonial rice cakes, alongside patterned textiles.

This woodblock print by Hachifusa Shūri belongs to the genre of surimono, a form of privately commissioned, highly refined print often exchanged among poets and connoisseurs in Edo-period Japan. Unlike commercial prints intended for mass distribution, surimono frequently feature sophisticated printing techniques, such as metallic pigments or embossing, and are closely linked to the literary circles of the time.

The composition presents a still life arrangement centred on traditional New Year motifs. A lobster, a symbol of longevity, rests atop a kagami mochi, the ceremonial rice cake offering. These elements are juxtaposed with a folded textile, likely a set of bed-clothing, which displays a pattern of phoenixes and chrysanthemums. The inclusion of these auspicious symbols reflects the cultural practices surrounding the Japanese New Year, where objects were chosen to invite good fortune and health for the coming months.

The artist employs a flat, graphic approach to the subject matter, prioritising the decorative qualities of the textile patterns and the symbolic weight of the objects over three-dimensional realism. The calligraphic text integrated into the left side of the composition provides context, likely referencing the specific poetic or social occasion for which the print was commissioned. The colour palette is restrained, relying on muted greens, soft reds, and earthy tones to maintain a sense of balance and elegance. The work demonstrates the technical precision typical of the surimono tradition, where the interaction between paper texture, ink application, and block carving creates a tactile quality. This print offers a glimpse into the refined aesthetic values of the period, where everyday objects were elevated through artistic representation and poetic association.