Two Mallards in Water Between Reeds and a Full Moon
by Ohara Koson
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.
Two mallard ducks swim between tall reeds under a full moon — the drakes' iridescent green heads and chestnut breasts providing rich color in an otherwise muted nocturnal palette. The 1920s date and the bokashi gradation mark this as a mature Koson work, his technical mastery fully engaged in the challenging task of rendering moonlight's effect on water, reed, and feather simultaneously. The full moon's reflection in the water below doubles the composition's luminous center.
![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](https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/d0960668-1e73-339a-b182-fb995a54bff0/full/843,/0/default.jpg)
1947
Color woodblock print; oban
March 1933
Color woodblock print; oban
1919
Color woodblock print
January 1938
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Two Mallards in Water Between Reeds and a Full Moon was created by Ohara Koson (小原古邨) in 1920s.
Two Mallards in Water Between Reeds and a Full Moon uses Bokashi, on woodblock print, ink and color on paper.
Two Mallards in Water Between Reeds and a Full Moon was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1920s).
Two Mallards in Water Between Reeds and a Full Moon depicts moonlight and night scenes.
Two Mallards in Water Between Reeds and a Full Moon measures 35.2 × 18.9 cm (Oban format).
