Kingfisher with Lotus Flower
by Ohara Koson
- Date:
- Shōwa period, early to mid 20th century
- Medium:
- Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 41.9 × 25.4 cm
by Ohara Koson
Koson's vast output of ~450 designs spans birds, flowers, fish, insects, and occasional landscapes. While his large production keeps most prints accessible, early Kokkeido-period impressions with muted, elegant Meiji-era coloring are distinctly more sought after than the brighter later Watanabe editions.
"Kingfisher with Lotus Flower" is a [shin-hanga](/glossary/shin-hanga) nature study by Ohara Koson, created during the Meiji to Showa periods. This work belongs to the [kacho-e](/glossary/kacho-e) (bird-and-flower) tradition, one of the most celebrated genres in Japanese art.
Ohara Koson brings characteristic sensitivity to this naturalistic subject, combining precise observation with poetic atmosphere. The composition balances the living subjects with their environment, creating a scene that feels both scientifically accurate and emotionally resonant.
The technical execution reveals the sophisticated printmaking tradition behind this image — from the precise registration of multiple color blocks to the subtle gradations that give depth and luminosity to the natural subjects.
This print represents Ohara Koson's contribution to the shin-hanga tradition during the Meiji to Showa periods. As with all works by this artist, it reflects both individual artistic vision and the broader cultural moment in which it was created. For collectors and admirers of Japanese printmaking, it offers a window into the sophisticated aesthetic world that produced some of the most beloved images in art history.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Kingfisher with Lotus Flower was created by Ohara Koson (小原古邨) in Shōwa period, early to mid 20th century.
Kingfisher with Lotus Flower was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (Shōwa period, early to mid 20th century).
Kingfisher with Lotus Flower depicts birds & flowers and animals.
Kingfisher with Lotus Flower measures 41.9 × 25.4 cm (Oban format).
