Group of Egrets 1925 - 1936

This woodblock print of a 'Group of Egrets' was made by Ohara Koson, but we don't know exactly when. Look at the way the powdery blue-gray background seems to float or shimmer, especially with those tiny white flecks suggesting falling snow. It gives me the feeling that Koson wasn't just depicting a scene, but also trying to capture a mood, a sense of quiet stillness. I imagine Koson carefully carving each line to bring these egrets to life. You can almost feel the soft texture of their feathers, the delicate curve of their necks. The way they huddle together makes me think about connection, about finding warmth and shelter in the company of others. Maybe he was thinking about how we’re all connected, not just to each other, but to the world around us. Isn’t it amazing how a simple image of birds can evoke so much feeling? That's the power of art, to spark our imaginations and help us see the world in new ways.