Ohara Koson (1877-1945)
A monkey (Nihonzaru, the Japanese macaque) sitting on a tree under the full autumn moon, a cuckoo flying above.
Seal: Koson
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya), Tokyo
Date: c. 1910-20
Original Japanese colour woodblock print. Size: Vertical Ôtanzaku (Mitsugiriban), 36,3 x 19 cm (overall)
Excellent impression and colours, with well visible wood grain, a little gofun white heightens the monkey's face. Untrimmed,retains the wide unprinted paper margin in top as well as narrow margins in bottom and left side. Upper left corner in margin a tiny bit bevelled, two small printer’s smudges in the sky, else excellent and crisp condition. A lovely and very rare image.
Illustrated in Reigle Newland/Perrée/Schaap, Crows, Cranes and Camellias, The natural world of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, Leiden/Boston 2010, p. 200, K41.22. Cf. also Japanische Kleinkunst, Elberfeld, n.d. (c. 1900), SLUB Dresden, sig. 92054306. Also Smithsonian, Muller Coll. S2003.8.1832.
sold