Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)

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Shows a Shinto priest carrying a firebrand and running to avoid a large wave. In his left hand he carries me, an edible seaweed which he has gathered. This ritual was carried out at night on New Year’s Eve at the Hayatomo Myojin Shrine, in northern Kyushu. The shrine is seen, top right, beneath a black sky. Other examples of this rare surimono are illustrated in: Vever sale, Part 1, Sothebys, 1974, lot 336, p.315; Jewels of Japanese Printmaking: Surimono of the Bunka-Bunsei era 1804-1830, Joan B. Mirviss, 2000, no.48, p.97 ( colour ); One Hundred Surimono in the Collection of Sidney C. Ward, no.26, p.32; Surimono, Steff Schmidt and Setsuko Kuwabara, 1990, no.38, p.92. One of the finest surimono designs. Published c early 1830s.

Fine impression. The red of the firebrand turned, otherwise very good colour. Extensive flecked foam printed silver and the gold of the poems, against the black sky, intact. Very good condition. Signed Oju Hokkei hitsu.

Status: Sold