White Chinese Geese Swimming By Reeds 1928

Ohara Koson made this print of white Chinese geese swimming by reeds, and what I notice right away is the reduction to essentials. We see it in the reeds, rendered as quick strokes, or the water, simply lines, each element reduced to its most expressive essence. The stark contrast between the geese and the dark background isn't just dramatic, it's like a lesson in seeing. Look at the geese’s reflection, how it almost becomes an extension of the bird itself, blurring the line between reality and reflection. The surface is smooth but look closer; the lines create texture, a tactile quality. It’s the kind of detail that gets me excited, because it reveals the artist’s hand, their process of layering and carving. Koson’s work, especially in his animal prints, shares a certain clarity with someone like Franz Marc, who also aimed to capture the essence of animals through simplified forms and colors. But where Marc goes for bold, expressive color, Koson finds power in restraint, proving that sometimes, less really is more.