Hanga
A pair of Flying Ducks and Moon by Ohara Koson — Japanese Woodblock print, ink and color on paper, before 1912

A pair of Flying Ducks and Moon

by Ohara Koson

Shin-hanga
MoonlightNight Scenes
Bokashi
Date:
before 1912
Medium:
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Format:
Oban
Dimensions:
34.6 × 18.8 cm
Edition:
Published by Watanabe Shozaburo

Description

Two ducks in flight beneath a full moon — a subject that combines Koson's mastery of birds in motion with his skill at nocturnal light effects. Produced before 1912, this print belongs to his early career under the publisher Akiyama Buemon, who was among the first to recognize and develop his talent for kacho-e. The bokashi gradation that renders the moon's glow on water and cloud demonstrates the collaborative skill of publisher and carvers working alongside the artist to achieve atmospheric subtlety.

More Prints by Ohara Koson

Cat and Goldfish by Ohara Koson

Cat and Goldfish

c. 1928–1930

Woodblock print, ink and color on paper

Heron or Egret by Ohara Koson

Heron or Egret

c. 1900–1945

Woodblock print

"Snipes and Reeds," 1926 and "Wild Ducks and Pampas Grass" by Ohara Koson

"Snipes and Reeds," 1926 and "Wild Ducks and Pampas Grass"

Two woodblocks in colors (framed separately)

Barn Swallow in flight by Ohara Koson

Barn Swallow in flight

Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)

More Moonlight Prints

Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)" by Kawase Hasui

Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)"

1947

Color woodblock print; oban

Evening Moon at Nakanoshima, Sapporo (Sapporo Nakanoshima no yuzuki), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan, Eastern Japan Edition (Nihon fukei shu higashi Nihon hen)" by Kawase Hasui

Evening Moon at Nakanoshima, Sapporo (Sapporo Nakanoshima no yuzuki), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan, Eastern Japan Edition (Nihon fukei shu higashi Nihon hen)"

March 1933

Color woodblock print; oban

Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima) by Kawase Hasui

Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima)

1919

Color woodblock print

Kiyozumi Garden in Moonlight by Kawase Hasui

Kiyozumi Garden in Moonlight

January 1938

Woodblock print, ink and color on paper

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Shin-Hanga: Japan's Twentieth-Century Print Revival

Frequently Asked Questions

A pair of Flying Ducks and Moon was created by Ohara Koson (小原古邨) in before 1912.

A pair of Flying Ducks and Moon uses Bokashi, on woodblock print, ink and color on paper.

A pair of Flying Ducks and Moon was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (before 1912).

A pair of Flying Ducks and Moon depicts moonlight and night scenes.

A pair of Flying Ducks and Moon measures 34.6 × 18.8 cm (Oban format).