Water Hollyhock
by Ohara Koson
- Date:
- c. 1928–1930
- Medium:
- Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 32.2 × 21.9 cm
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
- Edition:
- Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Typical Price
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.
- Later printings: $100–$500
- Good lifetime editions: $500–$2,500
- Rare subjects or exceptional impressions: $2,500–$8,000
Description
A water hollyhock (mizuaoi or tachi-aoi growing near water) rendered with Koson's careful botanical attention — the flower's trumpet form, its delicate color, the relationship of bloom to bud to stem all observed with the same precision he brought to bird anatomy. Produced around 1928–1930, this pure flower study represents his engagement with the kacho-e tradition's floral half: the bird-and-flower genre's flowers treated as full compositional subjects in their own right rather than mere supporting elements.
More Prints by Ohara Koson
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Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water Hollyhock was created by Ohara Koson (小原古邨) in c. 1928–1930.
Water Hollyhock was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (c. 1928–1930).
Water Hollyhock depicts birds & flowers.
Water Hollyhock measures 32.2 × 21.9 cm (Oban format).