Crow on snowy branch 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson created “Crow on Snowy Branch,” a captivating woodblock print, during a period of significant transformation in Japan. The Meiji Restoration sought to modernize the country and open it up to Western influences. Koson, associated with the Shin-Hanga movement, revitalized traditional ukiyo-e techniques with a focus on naturalism and atmospheric effects. Look at how the crow, a potent symbol in Japanese culture often associated with both intelligence and ill-omen, is rendered. Straddling the branch in defiance of the snow, the bird exudes a stark, almost unsettling confidence. The crow’s stark black plumage against the snowy branch suggests an intersection between nature, identity, and the social changes Koson witnessed. As you reflect on the image, consider Koson’s ability to evoke emotion through stark imagery, capturing the essence of a moment while hinting at deeper, perhaps unsettling, realities.