Ohara Koson (Shoson). 1877-1945.
Born in Kanazawa, he studied with Shijo-style painter, Suzuki Kason. Under the name Koson, he made made Russo-Japanese War prints in 1904, and many small kacho (nataure study) prints designed by Matsuki Heikichi of Daikokiya for export. He taught at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts; but was encouraged by Ernest Fenellosa to design woodblock prints. Using the art name, Ohara Koson, he designed bird and flower prints as as 1910. In 1912 he abandoned print design, changed his name to Shoson, and dedicated himself to paintings. In 1926 he resumed kacho hanga production. His prints were published chiefly by Watanabe Shozaburo. He used the name Hoson on works published by Sakai-Kawaguchi. Hundreds of his bird prints were exported to America. His sensitive renderings of birds and flowers are deservedly popular.
Reference is made to the excellent new study by Newland, Perée and Schaap, Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Leiden, Hotei Publishing, 2001).
Click upon the images for larger screens.
Egrets. Oban: 14 1/4 x 9 5/16 (sheet 15 1/8 x 10 1/4). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo 5 mm seal (1946-57). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S14.4, p. 197, and catalogue p. 154. Pristine condition. Extremely subtle shading and colors. Printed with gauffrage (embossing) in the egrets and the tall grasses. $500.
Egrets in Rain. 1926. Oban 14 x 9 1/2 (sheet 15 1/4 x 10 5/16). Signed and sealed Shooson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. A fine impression in excellent condition, apart from two tack holes in the left margin, well outside the image. Subtle shading; gauffrage in the feathers. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, catalogue 158, #S14.6, pp. 154., 158. A dramatic rendering of two egrets (egretta garzetta) flying through willow branches. Watanabe 6-mm seal, indicating an impression printed between 1946-57. $475.
Lapwing on Tree Stump. c. 1910-1923. Otanzaku: 13 1/2 x 7 5/16 (sheet 14 x 7 1/2). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuki) Heikichi (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, #57, p. 79; checklist K22.2, p. 179. A charming pre-1923 earthquake image with subtle shading in the background, and gauffrage on the bird. $675.
Monkey in a [Persimmon] Tree. Otanzaku (14 1/2 x 7 1/2). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuke) Heikichi (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, catalogue 30, K 41.21, pp. 57, 191. A fine impression pre-1923 earthquake image, with subtle shading and glowing colors, in pristine condition. $850.
Nuthatcher Atop Persimmons. c. 1910-1923. Otanzaku: 13 37/16 x 7 3/16 (sheet 14 7/16 x 7 1/2). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K18.1, p. 178. A charming pre-1923 earthquake image with brilliant colors. $750.
Six Wild Geese. 1926. Oban: 14 1/4 x 9 1/2 (sheet 15 1/4 x 10 1/4). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo - copyright seal "c" (1929-42) in the right-hand margin. A fine early impression in pristine condition. Subtle shading; very detailed carving with gauffrage; crisp lines. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S11.5, pp. 147, 197. $550.
Two Carp and White Lotus. 1933. Shikishiban: 10 14/16 x 9 7/8 (sheet 10 10/16 x 9 11/16). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S39.5, p. 201. A fine impression with subtle shading and glowing colors, in pristine condition. $650.
Two Geese Swimming Near Reeds. 1926. Oban: 14 3/16 x 9 9 5/16 (sheet 15 x 10 5/16). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo - copyright seal "d" (1931-41) in the left-hand margin. Edition 200. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S11.3, p. 197. A fine early impression in pristine condition. $850.
Two Goldfish. Shikishiban: 9 5/16 x 9 11/16 (sheet 10 3/4 x 11 14). Signed and sealed Koson. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, #K39.15, p. 189. Color variant with the framed black outline. The prints shows highly refined bokashi shading. Excellent color and condition. $500.
Two Wild Ducks in Flight Above Reeds, a Full Moon Behind. Pre-1923. Otanzaku: 13 7/8 x 7 1/4 (sheet 14 1/2 x 7 1/2). Publisher: Daikokuya (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Signed and sealed Koson. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K7.105, p. 172. Subtle bokashi shading with gauffrage and white 'gofun' overprinting in the ducks' feathers. A fine pre-earthquake print in pristine condition. $750.
Two Wild Ducks Near Water, Reeds Behind. Otanzaku: 14 15/16 x 6 3/4. Illustrated: Newland, Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S7.4, page 196. Signed and sealed Shoson. An excellent impression with subtle bokashi shading througout, and gauffrage in the birds' feathers and in the ripples of the water. $650.
Wading Egret with Reeds. Shikishiban: 9 1/2 x 10 1/16. Signed Koson; no seal. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuke) Heikichi(Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K 14.15, p. 177, and page 82. According to Newland et al, p. 82, "The soft feathers of the bird are beautifully suggested by white and grey printing, overprinted by white. Gauffrage in the birds' feathers and ripples in the water. Excellent color and condition. $550.
This was a popular image, that went through several printings.
Wading Egret with Reeds. Shikishiban: 9 3/8 x 9 13/16 (sheet 10 3/4 x 11 1/4). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuke) Heikichi(Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). "Made in Japan. No 25" stamp on the verso. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K 14.15, p. 177, and page 82. The print in Newland is unsealed. This image is sealed, so is presumably an earlier printing. This print is also different in color, as the blue is more of a robin-s egg blue than grey. According to Newland et al, p. 82, "The soft feathers of the bird are beautifully suggested by white and grey printing, overprinted by white. Gauffrage in the birds' feathers and ripples in the water. Excellent color and condition. $850.
White Fronted Geese Flying above Reeds and Water. c. 1933. Shikishiban: 10 10/16 x 9 1/16 (sheet 10 14/16 x 9 12/16). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S11.6, p. 197. A fine impression with subtle shading and gauffrage (embossing) in the 2 large BIRDS'' feathers. Based on the body markings, these actually appear to be mallard ducks not geese. Pristine color and condition. $500.
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