Empress Jito (Jito Tenno) - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicting Empress Jito, featuring delicate lines and soft colours from the Hyakunin isshu series.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts Empress Jito, a figure from the seventh century, within the context of the Hyakunin isshu, or One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets. Harunobu, a master of the nishiki-e (brocade print) technique, uses a delicate palette to render the scene. The Empress stands on a raised wooden balcony, holding a fan, while the background presents a rural vista featuring a river, thatched cottages, and a figure leading an ox. The composition balances the refined interior space of the palace with the rustic activities of the countryside.
Harunobu is credited with the development of full-colour printing in the mid-eighteenth century. His work often features slender, graceful figures and a poetic sensibility. In this print, the calligraphic lines define the architectural elements and the flowing robes of the Empress, while the soft washes of colour provide atmospheric depth. The inclusion of the poem in the upper section of the print integrates text and image, a common practice in Japanese printmaking that invites the viewer to engage with both the visual narrative and the literary source material. The print demonstrates the artist's ability to combine historical subjects with the aesthetic conventions of the Edo period. The use of negative space and the stylised clouds are characteristic of Harunobu's approach to composition, creating a sense of distance and serenity. This work serves as an example of the technical precision achieved by artisans and publishers during this era, where the collaboration between the artist, carver, and printer resulted in refined works for a growing urban audience.
Return policy
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.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
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
Empress Jito (Jito Tenno) - 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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