Throwing the Shuttle - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A delicate Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicting a woman weaving at a loom with a child nearby.
Suzuki Harunobu was a central figure in the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colours in a single woodblock composition. This print depicts a woman engaged in weaving at a loom, a common domestic activity in eighteenth-century Japan. She holds a shuttle aloft, poised to pass it through the warp threads. A small child sits on the floor beneath the loom, interacting with the hanging threads, which adds a sense of domestic spontaneity to the scene.
Harunobu is known for his slender, ethereal figures and his use of soft, muted colour palettes. In this work, the artist employs a delicate line quality to define the folds of the kimono and the structure of the loom. The composition is balanced, with the vertical lines of the loom providing a counterpoint to the seated posture of the weaver. The background is a flat, pale wash, which draws attention to the figures and their actions. This print demonstrates the technical precision achieved during the mid-Edo period, where the collaboration between artist, carver, and printer reached a high level of sophistication.
The subject matter reflects the daily life of the period, capturing a quiet moment of labour. Harunobu avoids excessive detail, preferring to focus on the grace of the human form and the rhythmic nature of the weaving process. The print is an example of the artist's ability to elevate everyday tasks into a refined aesthetic experience. By stripping away unnecessary background elements, Harunobu ensures that the viewer focuses on the interaction between the weaver and the child, as well as the mechanical grace of the loom itself. The work remains a clear example of the stylistic innovations that defined the Ukiyo-e movement during the 1760s.
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
Throwing the Shuttle - 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.
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
You May Also Like