Songbird and plum blossom 1900 - 1936

Ohara Koson made this lovely woodblock print of a songbird and plum blossom sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. I like how Koson's marks aren't overworked, there's a restraint that gives the image space to breathe. It reminds me of how process can be as simple as knowing when to stop. Looking closely, you can see how the plum blossoms are rendered in soft pinks, contrasting with the cooler tones of the bird's plumage. The branch it sits on is made with bold strokes of grey ink, creating a sense of depth and texture. It's almost as if you can feel the rough bark under your fingertips, while the bird's song echoes in your ears. Notice how the upper branches reach up and out of the image, suggesting an endless sky. This piece calls to mind other artists, like Hiroshige, who captured the fleeting beauty of nature. But Koson's bird feels uniquely alive, caught in a moment of joyful expression. This tension between stillness and movement, simplicity and detail, is what makes this work so engaging.