Ohara Koson, Two Egrets And The Crescent Moon

Consideration

• A color woodblock print in ōban format, after a 1926 design by Ohara Koson, celebrated for his elegant depictions of birds and the natural world.
• Published by Watanabe Shōzaburō, a leading figure in the shin-hanga movement, and bearing the artist's seal.
• A refined example of Japanese printmaking, reflecting exceptional craftsmanship, poetic simplicity, and enduring artistic appeal.

Ohara Koson (Japanese, 1877–1945) was a distinguished painter and woodblock print artist, celebrated for his exquisite kachō-ga (bird-and-flower pictures). Working during the late Meiji, Taishō, and early Shōwa periods, Koson developed a distinctive artistic style combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with delicate naturalism and atmospheric depth. His collaboration with publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō helped establish his international reputation within the shin-hanga movement. Today, his works are admired for their technical refinement, understated elegance, and lasting contribution to Japanese printmaking.

Two Egrets and the Crescent Moon (1926 design) depicts two graceful white egrets beneath a delicate crescent moon, surrounded by softly silhouetted reeds. The composition captures the tranquility of the natural world through subtle tonal transitions, intricate detailing, and a harmonious balance of light and shadow. Its muted blue-gray palette, delicate textures, and thoughtful use of negative space evoke a sense of stillness and quiet contemplation. Published by Watanabe Shōzaburō and bearing the artist's seal, the print exemplifies the poetic sensibility and refined craftsmanship of Japanese shin-hanga printmaking.

Origin: Japan

Material: Color woodblock print on paper, ōban format

Condition: Good overall, with light fading. Presented framed and matted.

Dimensions: Sight: 9¼ × 14⅛ in. (23.5 × 35.9 cm). Framed: 17½ × 23 in. (44.5 × 58.4 cm)

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