Persimmon and Birds c. 1928 - 1930

Komori Soseki made this print of persimmons and birds sometime between 1920 and 1930. Look at the way he handled the colour, it’s like a conversation between the bright oranges of the fruit and the muted greens of the leaves and birds. It feels very intuitive, as though Soseki is letting the materials speak. The surface is matte and smooth, with a tangible sense of texture coming through. You can almost feel the grain of the woodblock used to create the print. Those persimmons are so juicy, they almost pop off the surface, don’t they? Notice how the subtle variations in colour create a sense of depth and volume. It’s like Soseki is inviting us to reach out and pluck one from the branch. This piece feels like a close relative of the work of Ohara Koson. Both artists share a love for capturing the beauty of the natural world, inviting us to pause and appreciate the fleeting moments of everyday life.