Monkey Reaching for the Reflection of the Moon
水面の月を掴む猿
by Ohara Koson
- Date:
- c. 1930
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
This whimsical monkey scene is exceptionally scarce among Koson's predominantly avian output. Non-bird mammal subjects carry a collector premium, with prices typically between $1,500-$4,500 for early editions and $600-$2,000 for later ones. The playful narrative quality distinguishes this from Koson's more contemplative nature studies.
Description
A monkey hangs from a tree branch over water, reaching toward the moon''s reflection on the surface. This classic Buddhist and Zen motif symbolizes the futility of grasping at illusions. Koson renders the scene with characteristic elegance, the monkey''s fur textured in fine detail against the luminous water below.
