Kleine koekoek 1908 - 1909

"Kleine koekoek" (Little Cuckoo) is a woodblock print created by Japanese artist Goyo Hashiguchi in 1908-1909. The print depicts a stylized scene with a row of white monkeys, arranged vertically on a colored background. The monkeys are all in a similar pose, covering their mouths with their hands. The design is characterized by its simplicity and flat, two-dimensional figures, reminiscent of the shin-hanga style. The title and the Japanese text in the image likely refer to the cuckoo's cry and its symbolic meaning in Japanese culture. The print is a testament to Hashiguchi’s mastery of the woodblock printing technique and showcases his interest in folk motifs and Japanese mythology. "Kleine koekoek" is currently part of the Rijksmuseum collection.