Surimono is the privately commissioned Japanese woodblock-print genre whose name literally means “printed thing.”
Unlike mass-market ukiyo-e sold through publishers, surimono were usually ordered for private distribution. Poetry societies commonly commissioned them to illustrate winning poems, while actors used them to mark events such as a stage debut or a name change. New Year greetings were another important occasion.
Because they were made for small, educated audiences rather than broad commercial sale, artists and printers could use unusually luxurious techniques. Surimono often feature embossed, uninked impressions called karazuri, metallic effects resembling gold or silver dust, fine carving, and poems integrated into the design. Their subjects range from birds and seasonal flowers to literary themes and actors.
The genre was especially popular from the 1790s through the 1830s. It is often confused with commercial ukiyo-e categories such as nishiki-e, but the distinction is primarily one of commissioning, audience, and production context—not simply the presence of color or luxury materials.