Snip in water 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of a snipe in water, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It belongs to a Japanese artistic tradition called *kachō-e*, which often featured birds and flowers. The cultural interest in nature at this time grew in part from the rise of a wealthy merchant class, who were eager to display their taste and sophistication by collecting art. Koson tapped into this market by creating images of birds that were both decorative and scientifically accurate. This print also reflects the influence of Western naturalism on Japanese art during the Meiji era. Koson studied Western painting techniques, and the level of realism in his bird prints was innovative at the time. He also worked with publishers who were interested in exporting Japanese prints to the West, where there was a growing demand for Japonism. By consulting historical sources, we can understand how Koson’s art reflects the social and economic changes that were transforming Japan at the turn of the century.