Surimono commemorating the 50th anniversary of the death of the actor Iwai Hanshiro III c. 1809

Torii Kiyonaga made this Surimono print to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the actor Iwai Hanshiro III. Its visual qualities hinge on a printmaking technique known as woodblock printing, using handmade paper. The process begins with a drawing, carefully transferred to a woodblock, usually cherry. Using specialized tools, the printer then carves away the negative space. Ink is applied to the remaining raised surface, and the image is transferred to paper by rubbing or pressing. Each color requires a separate block, demanding absolute precision. The material qualities of the paper are crucial: its absorbency affects the ink’s appearance, and its texture influences the final look. The grain of the woodblock can also subtly appear in the print, adding another layer of visual interest. Given all the skilled labor involved, these prints were luxury items, a far cry from today’s mass-produced images. In the end, an understanding of the Surimono print requires appreciation for the materials and processes used to make it, placing it within a broader cultural and economic context.