Japanese Woodblock Print Snow on Willow Bridge by Ohara Shoson

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On offer is a Japanese woodblock print entitled "Snow on Willow Bridge" by Ohar Shoson (1877-1945). widely considered as the … Read more On offer is a Japanese woodblock print entitled "Snow on Willow Bridge" by Ohar Shoson (1877-1945). widely considered as the most unusual and renowned prints in the artist's repertoire, the work was created in Showa 2nd year (1927). It depicts a snowy winter scene at the Yanagibashi (Willow Bridge) in Tokyo, featuring two figures crossing the bridge under the snow-covered branches of weeping willows. Cladded in thick kimonos and holding umbrellas to shield them from the snow but with their face hidden, their forward motion suggests a cold and windy condition. Yanagibashi was bult in 1698 during Edo period and was named for surrounding willow trees and a Geisha district. It was made famous as a landmark by this very print.
An important artist in Shin-hanga movement, Ohara Shoson was celebrated mostly for his Kacho-e (Bird and Flower design). The figurative and landscape subject was not commonly found in his work. This print became iconic for the artist's work because of its poetic ambience, dynamic composition and complex techniques.
Published by Watanabe Shozaburo, the print used Gofun (white shell powder) to enhance the snow effect. In fine impressions such as this one, extra grey gradience (bokashi) in the sky and karazuri ('blind printing') of the snow on the willow branches and embossing on the bridge and umbrella ribs are particularly appealing.
The print retains its full margin and is signed in plate at lower left: Shoson in Kanji, artist's red seal, and publisher's 6mm seal. Note that the seal was used intermittently between 1915-1989 and it is well accepted now that it is not possible to precisely date the print bearing Watanabe's 6mm seal. This print is most likely a pre-war version circa 1930-40s.
Ohara Koson was one of the most important and prolific artists of Shin-hanga (new print) movement during early 20th century. His birth name was Ohara Matao and he used Ohara Koson from 1900-1912 in his early career when he worked with Kokkeido (Akiyama Buemon) in Nihonbashi; Daikokuya (Matsuki Heikichi) in Ryogokubashi; and Nishinomiya Yosaku to publish mostly the Kacho-e (Bird and flower) prints. In 1912, he adopted Ohara Shoson as his new artist's name and began publishing prints with Watanabe Shozaburo around 1926 after the Great Kanto Earthquake. After 1930, he used Ohara Hoson as his artist's name, which mostly appeared on the prints by Kawaguchu and Sakai.
Compare another near identical copy of this print in the collection of LACMA (M.2000.105.148)
References: Kendall H. Brown & Hollis Goodall-Cristante, Shin-Hanga, New Prints in Modern Japan, LACMA, 1996, p. 81, fig. 109, cat. 89 and p. 34. See less