Young Woman Tying Obi Beside Bamboo Bench - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A delicate woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicting a woman adjusting her obi, showcasing the refined aesthetic of 18th-century Japanese nishiki-e.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu captures a quiet, domestic moment in the Edo period. The subject is a young woman adjusting her obi, or sash, while standing beside a simple bamboo bench. The composition is characteristic of Harunobu, who was instrumental in the development of nishiki-e, or brocade prints, which allowed for the use of multiple colours in a single image. The figure is rendered with slender proportions and a delicate posture, typical of the artist's aesthetic.
Harunobu often incorporated subtle references to the lunar calendar within his designs, a practice known as e-goyomi. These prints were commissioned by private clubs of poetry enthusiasts who exchanged them as gifts. The inclusion of the bamboo bench and the small, portable stove nearby suggests a setting of leisure and refinement. The background is kept minimal, allowing the focus to remain on the figure and the texture of her garments. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft earth tones and the striking red of the obi to create visual balance.
Technically, the print demonstrates the precision of the woodblock carving process. The lines are fine and controlled, defining the folds of the kimono and the gentle expression of the woman. Harunobu's work moved away from the more rigid styles of his predecessors, favouring a lyrical and intimate approach to the depiction of daily life. This print provides a glimpse into the sophisticated culture of 18th-century Japan, where art and utility were often combined in the form of these ephemeral calendar prints. The preservation of such works allows for an examination of the technical advancements in colour printing during this period, as well as the social customs surrounding the exchange of these artistic tokens.
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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
Young Woman Tying Obi Beside Bamboo Bench - 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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