Ohara Koson

The hottest artist, Ohara Koson.

Ohara Koson (1877-1945) was a kacho-ga artist active from the end of the Meiji period and through the Taisho and Showa periods. Although there are many collectors of Koson and exhibitions are held abroad, he is hardly known in Japan. However, in September 2018, an exhibition “Ohara Koson – An Eden of Flowers and Birds” was held at Chigasaki City Museum of Art. Moreover, an E-Television program showcasing Koson and the exhibition was broadcast, and suddenly he has been drawing attention. In addition, a string of books about his art will be published, and in the current booming Japanese-style art world, without doubt, he is an artist on the edge of breaking through, and set to rise in popularity in his native Japan.

Dancing Fox [1st Term]

Domestic Geese [1st Term]

Horned Owl and Moon [2nd Term]

Are they really woodblock prints? Yes, charmingly portrayed animals as delicate as watercolors…

The major characteristic of Koson’s works is how he so elegantly expressed natural motifs such as birds, animals and flowers using woodblock print techniques. Actually, at first glance his works do not look like woodblock prints. However, based on the ukiyo-e print skills honed since the Edo period, he succeeded to express pale and beautiful colors as if they were watercolor paintings. His works can be loved not only by animal lovers, but also by everyone who appreciates art.

Monkey and Bee [1st Term]

Goshawk and Sparrow [2nd Term]

Sparrow on Flowering Lotus [1st Term]

The first exhibition introducing the complete world of Koson in Tokyo

This is the first exhibition to introduce the complete world of Ohara Koson in Tokyo. We will exhibit about 150 pieces, including works with the seal of Koson published by Matsuki Heikichi from the end of the Meiji period to the Taishō period, and shin-hanga works with the seal of Shōson published by Watanabe Sōzaburō in the early Shōwa period. In addition, hand-painted base pictures and test prints allowing a deeper understanding of Koson’s production process will be introduced. The exhibits will be changed between the first term and the second term.

Crows in Moonlit Night [2nd Term]

Cat and Paper Lantern [2nd Term]

Egrets in Snow [2nd Term]

Bees and Hydrangea [1st Term]

Admission

Adult	700 yen
University and High school students	500 yen
Junior High School Students and below	Free

Calendar

Closed

• • • 2019 February

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    • 2019 March

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