The Bedtime Sake Cup - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A delicate nishiki-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting a formal domestic scene from the series Marriage in Brocade Prints.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu belongs to the series Marriage in Brocade Prints, the Carriage of the Virtuous Woman. Harunobu is credited with the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colour blocks to create sophisticated, painterly effects. This work depicts an interior scene, likely a wedding chamber, where figures are engaged in the ritual of sharing sake. The composition is divided by architectural elements, such as sliding screens and a central standing screen, which create a sense of depth while maintaining the flat, graphic quality characteristic of the period.
The figures are rendered with the slender, delicate proportions typical of Harunobu's style. Their postures are graceful, and their clothing is depicted with subtle patterns that add texture to the composition. The central screen features a painted motif of birds, which provides a visual anchor for the scene. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft tones of ochre, muted red, and grey, which harmonise with the paper tone. The use of line is precise and calligraphic, defining the forms of the figures and the surrounding furniture without the need for heavy shading.
Harunobu's work often focused on the lives of women, capturing quiet moments of domesticity or leisure. In this print, the atmosphere is one of calm and formality, reflecting the social expectations of the Edo period. The attention to detail, from the arrangement of the sake vessels to the folds of the garments, demonstrates the technical mastery of the carvers and printers who collaborated with the artist. This print offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values of 18th-century Japan, where art and daily life were closely intertwined.
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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
The Bedtime Sake Cup - 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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