Quail over the forest 

Ohara Koson created this woodblock print depicting a quail over a forest, yet the exact date remains unknown. Quail imagery in Japanese art is rich with cultural associations of the seasons. Koson's skill in capturing the texture of the bird’s plumage and its dynamic pose reveals a deep understanding of avian anatomy, combined with the technical skill and established institutions of Japanese woodblock printing. Japanese woodblock prints, particularly those of the Shin-Hanga movement to which Koson belonged, were consciously modern and often produced for export. Prints were sold to a Western audience keen to acquire imagery of an ‘exotic’ Japan, and in doing so, these prints reinforced Western perceptions and expectations of Japanese art. Art historians often use archival materials, such as exhibition catalogues, market reports, and artist biographies to understand the complex interplay of artistic production and cultural exchange, showing us how artistic value is not intrinsic, but is shaped by culture.