Eagle on branch 1900 - 1910

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of an eagle on a branch at an unknown date, but it’s clearly not just about the eagle, but the mood. What strikes me is the layering of grey, and how the rain seems to be falling in sheets, blurring the background and creating this hazy, atmospheric perspective. Look at how Koson carves each individual feather with so much attention to detail, using this incredible precision to create texture. The claws feel especially sharp and the bird's expression is piercing. What I love here is that he doesn’t only render the form of the eagle, but also its personality. I see echoes of Hokusai in Koson's work, but with a softer edge. Where Hokusai might capture a scene in motion, Koson finds these quieter, contemplative moments. Both artists prove that beauty is not about perfection but capturing the essence of a thing. Art is not about answers but about the questions.