71 Ohara Koson 1877 – 1945 Two Geese Flying over Snow-Covered Reeds

Japan, ca. 1920s–1930s (Shōwa period)

This poetic winter scene is another masterpiece by Ohara Koson. The artist signed and sealed this piece using his later name, Shoson (祥邨), under which he designed his highly acclaimed works for the modern shin-hanga (new prints) movement, predominantly in collaboration with the renowned publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō. The composition perfectly utilizes the narrow vertical format to capture the dynamic yet graceful downward flight of two wild geese descending toward snow-dusted reeds. In the background, the scene is softly and dreamily illuminated by the pale orb of a full moon. This is a textbook example of Japanese nature lyricism (kachō-ga), where muted earthy-grey tones and the masterful use of negative space evoke a palpable sense of a quiet, freezing winter evening.