KOSON ŌHARA 小原 古邨 (1877–1945)

Ohara Koson (1877 – 1945) was the most successful ukiyo-e artist of the shin hanga period depicting mainly birds, plants and other animals (kacho-e). He probably was the student of Suzuki Kason.

By the end of the 19th century the Nihonga art movement, influenced by western style and techniques, revived traditional Japanese techniques. Koson can be seen as part of this art movement, together with Ogata Gekkō, Sakamaki Kōgyo, Hirezaki Eihō and Watanabe Seitei. These artists worked in close cooperation with the publishers Daikokuya and Kokkeidō. In 1926 Koson’s association with the very well-known publisher Watanabe started.

Ohara Koson was using three artist’s names: Ohara Koson, Ohara Shōson (used since 1912) and Ohara Hōson.