Fine Art Poster
From $39
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Kogo no Tsubone and Minamoto no Nakakuni - Suzuki Harunobu
Regular price
$39.00 USD
Sale price
$39.00 USD
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A classic ukiyo-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicting a scene from the Heike Monogatari, featuring Kogo no Tsubone and Minamoto no Nakakuni.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu depicts a scene from the Heike Monogatari, a classic of Japanese literature. The composition features Kogo no Tsubone, a court lady, playing the koto inside a pavilion, while the warrior Minamoto no Nakakuni approaches on horseback, accompanied by an attendant. The narrative centres on Nakakuni searching for Kogo under the orders of the Emperor, guided by the sound of her music on a moonlit night.
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 work demonstrates his mastery of the medium, employing a delicate palette of soft yellows, muted greens, and earthy browns. The figures are rendered with slender, graceful proportions, a hallmark of Harunobu's style. The architectural elements, such as the thatched roof and the wooden fence, provide a sense of spatial depth while maintaining the flat, decorative quality typical of the period.
The inclusion of calligraphy within the image integrates text and visual art, a common practice in ukiyo-e prints. The moon, depicted as a simple circle in the upper right, provides a subtle atmospheric touch, suggesting the nocturnal setting of the tale. The print captures a moment of quiet tension, as the musical performance serves as the catalyst for the encounter between the two figures. Through his precise line work and balanced composition, Harunobu conveys the poetic nature of the original literary source, offering a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the Edo period. This print remains a fine example of the technical and artistic innovations that defined the mid-18th century Japanese print tradition.
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
Complete The Look
Kogo no Tsubone and Minamoto no Nakakuni - Suzuki Harunobu
Regular price
From $39.00 USD
Sale price
From $39.00 USD
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / Small Square (30x30 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Suzuki Harunobu did not start his career with the full palette of colours for which he is now known. His early work consisted of simple two-colour prints and mizu-e, or water pictures, which used coloured key blocks instead of black to create a pale appearance. His transition occurred in 1765 when he collaborated with private poetry clubs to produce egoyomi, which were pictorial calendars. These commissions allowed him to use the expensive pigments and heavy paper that defined nishiki-e, or brocade pictures.
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.
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.
Made to order
Choose your finish
Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Fine Art Framed
From $119
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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