Swallows with cherry blossom 1910

Ohara Koson made this print of swallows with cherry blossom in the early twentieth century, using woodblock printing. I love the way Koson used flat planes of color to describe the birds, contrasting the black of their wings against their orange heads. It makes me think about the tradition of Japanese printmaking – the way it reduces complex forms into simpler shapes. Look at the long, elegant tails of the swallow on the left, how they extend downward like the blossoming cherry branches, creating a sense of mirroring, or call and response. The texture of the paper adds a tactile quality to the print, making you want to reach out and touch it. There's a softness to the colors, a muted quality that gives the piece a dreamlike feel. Koson’s focus on birds and flowers reminds me of the work of Abbot Thayer, another artist who found beauty in the natural world. Both artists invite us to slow down and appreciate the delicate balance of nature.