Ohara Koson (Shoson). 1877-1945.
Sparrows on Wisteria. c. 1940's-50's. Dai oban: 16 11/16 x 10 1/4 (sheet 17 5/16 x 10 3/4). Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Tokyo publisher--known active 1938 until late 1950's; then sporadically until present day.) Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias plate 142, checklist K33.10. Soft 'bokashi' shading; gauffrage in the birds and the wisteria. Excellent condition. Signed and sealed Koson. $1,500.
The authors write, p. 143, "Four tree sparrows (Passer montanus) alight upon a flowering wisteria. The wisteria, named after the American anatomist Caspar Wistar (1761-1818), is a woody, deciduous climbing shrub of the lamily Leguminisae that grows wild in mountainous areas of Japan. Prized for its drooping clusters of blue, purple and white flowers, the wisteria is also used in garden design."
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