Farbholzschnitt - Eisvogel und Iris (Kawasemi ni ayame / 翠鳥に菖蒲) - Ohara Shōson 小原祥邨 (1877–1945) - Published by Watanabe - Japan

Kingfisher and Iris (Kawasemi ni ayame / 翠鳥に菖蒲)

Description: A masterful nature depiction (Kachō-ga) showing a kingfisher in flight, viewed in profile, over intensely blue, blooming irises. The composition is characterized by fine color gradients (Bokashi) in the background and on the petals.
Artist: Ohara Koson (小原古邨), signed under his artist name Ohara Shōson (小原祥邨). Lifespan: 1877 – 1945.
Country of origin: Japan
Year of appearance: ca. 1925–1936
Exact period: Taishō to early Shōwa era
Style: Shin-hanga (New Prints / New Woodblock Movement). This style united traditional ukiyo-e techniques from the 17th–19th centuries with Western influences of light, shadow, and realism.
Technique: Original woodblock print (color woodcut). Hand-printed from multiple carved woodblocks.
Material: Plant-based and mineral pigments on hand-made Japanese mulberry paper (Washi).
Dimensions:
Sheet (image carrier): H 38.9 cm × W 25.8 cm (Ōban format)
With frame: H 50.2 cm × W 35.3 cm
Condition: The print is in good to very good, age-appropriate condition. The colors are fresh and high-contrast. The paper shows a natural, slight aging tint. Marginal mounting marks or minimal waviness at the outer edges are typical of woodblock prints and do not affect the main subject. The woodblock print lies under an age-appropriate frame. The frame shows signs of age-related wear.
Features & Seals:
Signature: Signed lower right with Shōson (祥邨) including the red artist’s seal (see close-up).
Publisher: On the left edge sits the characteristic stamped copyright and publisher attribution in the seal: “Hanken shoyu Watanabe Shōzaburō” (版權所有 渡邊庄三郎) – the famous Watanabe publishing house in Tokyo, which played a leading role in the Shin-Hanga movement (see close-up).
Shipping note: Will be securely packed for transport and shipped insured only.