Ohara Koson, "Leaping Carp and Insect"

A spectacular and vivid design showing a carp leaping out of the water. A small flying insect is printed delicately above, while the flowers of a wisteria hand overhead. A masterfully printed work with bokashi (gradation) printing throughout. A very scarce and fine work by Ohara Koson.

Date: 1931
Size: Oban
First-edition
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai
Condition: 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.