Koson 小原古邨: Snow on WIllow Bridge 雪中の柳橋 (SOLD)

Artist: Ohara Kōson (1877-1945)
Title: Snow on WIllow Bridge 雪中の柳橋
Date: First published in 1927; this is a postwar edition

Two women walk in traditional kimono, umbrellas held aloft against the falling snow as they cross Yanagibashi on the Sumida River in Asakusa. Hokusai and Hiroshige both designed prints with this bridge as their subject, and this feels like a rather idealized dream image from previous era. This oban design is something of a departure from Koson’s usual bird-and-flower images, but is considered one of his best designs. With hand-spattered gofun that mimics falling snow that is unique to each print. The round Watanabe seal at left indicates that this is a postwar edition, ca 1950.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: 39.2 c 26.3 cm
Literature: Brown, Kendall H. & Goodall-Cristante, Hollis, Shin-Hanga, New Prints in Modern Japan, LACMA, 1996, p. 81, fig. 109, cat. 89; Reigle Newland, Amy; Perree, Jan & Schapp, Robert, Crows, Cranes & Camellias: the natural world of Ohara Koson, 1877-1945, Hotei Publishing, 2001, p. 159, no. 166. See MFA Boston
Signature: Shoson

SKU: KSC112T