A Fine Set of Three Japanese Woodblock Prints by Ohara Koson (1877–1945), Taishō–Shōwa period

A refined set of three Japanese woodblock prints by the celebrated shin-hanga artist Ohara Koson, each depicting birds poised upon slender branches within softly graduated atmospheric grounds.

The compositions exemplify Koson’s mastery of natural observation and decorative balance: a delicately perched songbird rendered with gentle tonal transitions; a nocturnal owl descending against a misty twilight sky illuminated by a crescent moon; and a pair of brilliantly coloured pheasants resting among blossom-laden branches. Each work demonstrates the artist’s characteristic sensitivity to seasonal mood, asymmetry, and quiet poetic presence.

The prints are presented in matching wooden frames and glazed, allowing them to function both as a cohesive decorative ensemble and as individual studies in natural elegance. Koson’s bird designs were produced for the export market in the early 20th century and remain among the most sought-after subjects within the shin-hanga movement.

Artist: Ohara Koson (1877–1945)

Period: Taishō–Shōwa era (early 20th century)

Dimensions (each frame): approx. 34 × 17.5 cm

Condition: Good overall; prints with gentle age toning consistent with period; frames with light wear commensurate with age.