Ohara Koson, "Fox in Moonlight"

A sly fox is shown sneaking up on unseen prey in this truly exceptional and very rare work by Ohara Koson. Every detail in this woodblock print is wonderful. The black of the sky broken by a crescent moon is delicately printed. The grass throughout the composition is meticulously detailed, as are the ripples of the water. And standing at the center is a fox printed with such precision that it is almost life-like. Overall, the understated coloring and extraordinary detailing is mesmerizing.

Date: ca. 1930
Size: Oban
First-edition
Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
Condition: Light stain bottom margin, otherwise excellent/fine color and condition
Frame Shown: 16" x 24" x 1/2", Classic Walnut, Clear

Ohara Koson (Shoson) (1877-1945) was the master of kacho-e (prints of birds and flowers) during the shin-hanga period of woodblock prints in Japan. Trained as a painter, Koson's work exquisitely captured the raw beauty of nature and many of his bird prints are iconic in Japanese design.