Hanga
Bird, from Signs of Seasons by Onchi Koshiro — Japanese Woodblock print

Bird, from Signs of Seasons

by Onchi Koshiro

Medium:
Woodblock print
Image courtesy of
Art Institute of Chicago

Description

"Bird, from Signs of Seasons" is a sosaku-hanga nature study by Onchi Koshiro, created during the Taisho and Showa periods. This work belongs to the kacho-e (bird-and-flower) tradition, one of the most celebrated genres in Japanese art.

Onchi Koshiro 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 Onchi Koshiro's contribution to the sosaku-hanga tradition during the Taisho and 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bird, from Signs of Seasons was created by Onchi Koshiro (恩地孝四郎).

Bird, from Signs of Seasons depicts birds & flowers.