Kingfisher on Reed
葦に翡翠
by Ohara Koson
- Date:
- c. 1910
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
Koson depicted kingfishers multiple times, and this reed-perching version has a quiet elegance distinct from his iris pairing. Expect $700-$2,800 for good impressions, with early Watanabe editions at the top of that range. Later posthumous reprints can be found for $200-$600, though colors are typically less vivid.
Description
A vivid kingfisher perches on a slender reed above water, poised to dive for fish. The bird''s brilliant blue and orange plumage creates a jewel-like accent against the muted greens and browns of the marsh setting. The composition captures the tense, alert stillness of the kingfisher moments before its plunge.
