Koson 小原古邨 : Mallards and Lotus Under Snow (oversized first edition)

Artist: Ohara Kōson 古邨 (1877-1945)
Title: Swimming Mallards with Lotus Plant   Date: Ca. 1936

A pair of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) appear undisturbed by the cold in this oversized work. The male paddles on the surface while the female dabbles, half of her body depicted in shadow beneath the ripples. A lotus plan provides the evidence of winter, dried and covered in snow, yet still elegant. With the Watanabe seal lower right that was in use between 1932-1941, this may be considered a “first” edition. Koson works published by Watanabe are signed “Shoson”, as here. With the “Made in Japan” seal verso, that was affixed to prints that were intended for export from Japan in the 1930s. This seems to be a rather scarce design.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: dai-oban 31 x 43.5 cm Publisher: Watanabe Shôzaburô
Literature: See "Crows, Cranes and Camellias" (2010), page 127, number 123  and checklist number K29.2.  Seal: Shoson   Signature: Shoson

SKU: KOS242