Hotoke Gozen Dancing before Taira no Kiyomori - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A classic nishiki-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting the dancer Hotoke Gozen performing for Taira no Kiyomori.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts a scene from the Heike Monogatari, a classic of Japanese literature. The composition shows Hotoke Gozen, a shirabyoshi dancer, performing for the powerful Taira no Kiyomori. Harunobu is credited with the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colours in a single image. This technical advancement is visible in the subtle application of pigments across the garments and the architectural elements of the room.
The figures are rendered with the slender, delicate proportions characteristic of Harunobu's work. Hotoke Gozen stands on the left, holding a fan, while Kiyomori and his companions observe from the interior space. The spatial arrangement uses the architectural lines of the room to create a sense of depth, separating the performer from the audience. The patterns on the kimonos and the sliding screens demonstrate the precision of the woodblock carving process.
Harunobu's work often focused on the lives of women and historical figures, presented with a sense of quiet grace. This print captures a moment of performance, where the tension between the dancer and the observer is mediated by the formal setting. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on soft ochres, greys, and muted tones to maintain a balance between the figures and their environment. The print serves as an example of the refinement achieved in the mid-Edo period, where the collaboration between artist, carver, and printer reached a high level of sophistication. The work remains a primary example of the aesthetic values prevalent in eighteenth-century Japanese printmaking.
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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
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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
Hotoke Gozen Dancing before Taira no Kiyomori - 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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