Two Mallards in Water Between Reeds and a Full Moon
by Ohara Koson
- Date:
- 1920s
- Medium:
- Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 35.2 × 18.9 cm
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
- Edition:
- Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
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.
More Prints by Ohara Koson
More Moonlight Prints
![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)
Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)"
1947
Color woodblock print; oban
Evening Moon at Nakanoshima, Sapporo (Sapporo Nakanoshima no yuzuki), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan, Eastern Japan Edition (Nihon fukei shu higashi Nihon hen)"
March 1933
Color woodblock print; oban
Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima)
1919
Color woodblock print
Kiyozumi Garden in Moonlight
January 1938
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
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).