Ohara Koson: The World of Flowers and Birds Beyond the Sea - Centered on the Hara Yasusaburo Collection

A white heron standing in a sudden rain shower, sparrows in the shade of dew-soaked leaves, butterflies fluttering in the sunlight - the images of birds and insects living in harmony with nature are deeply etched in our minds.

Ohara Koson (1877-1945) was born in Kanazawa, where he studied Japanese painting under Suzuki Kason and later began working on woodblock prints. Koson was dedicated to depicting nature in the style of Japanese painting, meticulously capturing the shapes and forms of living creatures and evoking a sense of humid air in the white space. The atmosphere of the original paintings was beautifully brought to life through the intricate carving and printing techniques of the ukiyo-e tradition, and his works were highly praised in the West.

Since his death, few people know his name, but the recent exhibition of over 250 of Koson's prints, formerly owned by Hara Yasusaburo, has brought new light to his career as an artist.

This time, we will be showcasing approximately 100 pieces, including masterpieces from the same collection and the Ohara family collection, as well as paintings by his teacher, Suzuki Kason. Please enjoy Koson's delicate and colorful flower and bird paintings, beloved in the West.