Hanga
Dancing Fox by Ohara Koson — Japanese Color woodblock print, 1900–1910s

Dancing Fox

by Ohara Koson

Shin-hanga
MusicAnimals
Date:
1900–1910s
Medium:
Color woodblock print
Format:
Oban
Edition:
Published by Watanabe Shozaburo

Description

A fox stands upright in human pose — the kitsune (fox) of Japanese folklore, a supernatural creature of intelligence and transformation that has haunted the national imagination from the earliest recorded history. The dancing fox invokes the tradition of the kitsune playing a flute or performing ritual gestures, caught between its animal nature and its supernatural powers. Koson treats this mythological subject with the same formal care he brings to his naturalistic bird-and-flower work, the fox balanced between creature and spirit.

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 Music Prints

A dancing girl, maiko, in winter by Hasegawa Sadanobu III

A dancing girl, maiko, in winter

Woodblock print

Shamyris, Shôwa period, dated 1965? by Hideo Hagiwara

Shamyris, Shôwa period, dated 1965?

Woodblock print

Lesson in Japanese Dancing by Takeji Asano

Lesson in Japanese Dancing

Woodblock print

Dance of Eternal Love by Toshi Yoshida

Dance of Eternal Love

Woodblock print

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dancing Fox was created by Ohara Koson (小原古邨) in 1900–1910s.

Dancing Fox was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1900–1910s).

Dancing Fox depicts music and animals.