Koson 小原古邨 : Bright Songbird and Peony in Snow (SOLD)

Artist: Ohara Koson 古邨 (1877-1945)

Title: Japanese Bush Warbler and Peony in Snow  Date: ca. 1930

Dramatic design of a brightly colored green and yellow Japanese bush warbler perching against a deep black winter sky. Although this bird is identified as a Siberian Bluechat by Newland/Perrée/Schaap, the bluechat has a deep blue coloration above that this one lacks.  In the 1936 Watanabe catalog (number O34), it is identified as a Japanese Nightingale, today called a Japanese bush warbler. The Japanese bush warbler (Horornis diphone) is olive brown above and may have a soft yellow below. Its head and leg coloration do look closer those seen on this Koson design. With thanks to Nick Hamatake, who kindly offered his expert birding eye to confirm that this is most likely a Japanese bush warbler due to a number of identifying features, including even the shape of the bird's bill and the season of winter/early spring. He also noted a centuries-old poetic association as this bird as an early harbinger of spring.  

In any case, this print features a lovely bird peering down from its perch on a snow-covered twig on a protective tentlike shelter that has been erected for an enormous red peony that is blooming despite the elements. The white snow contrasts dramatically with the jet black background, and the deep color of the flower beckons as invitingly as a warm spring morning.  This is sourced from a collection of works that were assembled in Japan before WWII and were never framed.  With the Watanabe “Wa-ta-na-be” personal seal, lower right, often referred to as a “gift” seal. From the paper and the printing, this dealer would judge this to be a prewar printing. There are also no postwar Watanabe seals on the work. A very scarce design that almost never appears on the market. Due to its rarity and lack of postwar reprints, it is probable that the blocks for this design were destroyed during the war.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. With remnants of an original circular sticker, upper left and minor issues at upper margin.

Dimensions: 38.6 x 26 cm Publisher:  Watanabe Shôzaburô
Seal: artist's seal  Signature: Shoson

References: Newland, Perrée, & Schaap, Crows, Cranes & Camellias (2001), checklist no. S26.1; Watanabe 1936 Catalog  number O34, page 99.

SKU: KOS223