Koson: Moorhen
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Ohara Koson (1877-1945)

A gallinule or moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) walking in shallow water, eyeing at a water strider; grasses and pink carnations (Nadeshiko) are growing at the shore.

Seal: Koson

Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya), Tokyo

Date: c. 1910-20

Original Japanese colour woodblock print. Size: Vertical Ôtanzaku (Mitsugiriban), 34,8 x 18,9 cm (overall)

Excellent impression and colours, with very nice bokashi and strong wood-grain, with black lustre printing in the bird's plumage. Upper unprinted margin trimmed off without any image loss. Paper a little age-toned, else excellent condition.
Illustrated in Reigle Newland/Perrée/Schaap, Crows, Cranes and Camellias, The natural world of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, Leiden/Boston 2010, p. 189, K23.7. Cf. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Perrée Coll., RP-P-1999-481. Cf. also Japanische Kleinkunst, Elberfeld, n.d. (c. 1900), SLUB Dresden, sig. 92054306.

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