Asakusa Seiran - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined ukiyo-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting a quiet interior scene from the series Fashionable Eight Views of the Parlour.
Asakusa Seiran, or Clear Weather at Asakusa, is a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, a master of the nishiki-e, or brocade print, style. This work belongs to a series titled Fūryū Zashiki Hakkei, which translates to Fashionable Eight Views of the Parlour. Harunobu adapted the traditional theme of the Eight Views of Xiao and Xiang, a classic subject in East Asian art, to the contemporary setting of Edo-period domestic life.
The composition depicts two figures within an interior space. One figure, dressed in a dark hooded garment and carrying two swords, sits on the edge of the tatami mat. The other figure, a woman in a patterned kimono, leans towards her companion. The background features sliding doors decorated with painted imagery, including a willow tree and a stream. To the left, a display shelf holds various items, suggesting a shop or a refined living space. The floor is scattered with fallen ginkgo leaves, a detail that introduces a sense of seasonal transition.
Harunobu is recognised for his innovation in multi-colour printing, which allowed for a greater range of hues than earlier techniques. His figures are characterised by slender proportions and delicate facial features, a departure from the more robust figures of his predecessors. The use of line is precise, defining the folds of the garments and the architectural elements of the room. The inclusion of calligraphy at the top of the print integrates text with the visual narrative, a common practice in ukiyo-e. This print captures a moment of quiet interaction, reflecting the aesthetic interests of the urban population in eighteenth-century Japan. The balance between the interior architecture and the figures creates a sense of spatial depth, while the muted colour palette maintains a focus on the subtle gestures and expressions of the subjects.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Asakusa Seiran - Suzuki Harunobu
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Harunobu moved away from the stiff portraits of kabuki actors common in his era. He preferred to depict young women in their daily lives, often using an elevated viewpoint to look into private spaces. His series Zashiki hakkei, or Eight Parlour Views, provides a clear example of his method. He took classical Chinese themes and reimagined them as domestic scenes. A temple bell might become a chiming clock. A distant storm is represented by a woman drying herself after a bath.
Modern collectors value these prints for their quiet atmosphere and precise compositions. Harunobu avoided the aggressive energy of later ukiyo-e artists. He chose instead to focus on slender figures and soft colour harmonies. His work captures specific moments of leisure, such as playing cat's cradle or walking by the shore. These scenes offer a calm window into eighteenth-century Japan. They remain popular because they balance historical detail with a clean, graphic sensibility that suits contemporary interiors.
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