Japanese print, Herons in the reeds, OHARA KOSON

Ohara Koson (1877 - 1945) is a complete Japanese artist working in drawing, painting, woodcut and print. Very quickly, he developed a passion for plants and animals, which he observed carefully to understand their attitudes and physical traits and characteristics. After studying in art school, he made some Russo-Japanese war prints. He will then be a teacher himself, and influenced by an American colleague, thanks to whom he resumed making woodcuts. Most will subsequently be edited by Watanabe Shozaburo, initiator of the artistic movement Shin Hanga. The latter aimed to integrate Western elements, without renouncing the traditional values ​​of Japanese woodcut. Inspired by the European Impressionist movement, the artists made sure to work on ambience and light effects. By targeting an American and European export market, the publisher finally succeeded in integrating this type of art in Japan.