Ohara Koson – Hen & Rooster
Another print with a bit of a mystery to solve. This woodblock is signed signed in the lower right Untan or Unhyo (?), with the design based off of (plagiarized from) a design by the famous kacho-e artist Ohara Koson (1877-1945). It has been documented that this piece was commissioned by and for publishing by the Shima Art Company, a publishing house based in New-York and Tokyo, that was active between 1908 and c. 1940. In all of the copies that we’ve seen of this print you’ll find the Shima symbol stamped in red below the artist’s signature (a crane flying over Mt Fuji), however this print seems to have a different publisher stamp, lending more questions to the story.
The Woodblock Print
This oban-sized woodblock is in very good to excellent condition; the print is trimmed as seems normal, but has good color without any visible flaws or discolorations. No visible edge wear. A clean verso.
About the Artist
More information coming soon -DK
