Koson: Monkey under the full moon
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Ohara Koson (1877-1945)

A monkey (Nihonzaru, the Japanese macaque) sitting on a tree under the full autumn moon, a cuckoo flying above.

Seal: Koson

Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya), Tokyo

Date: c. 1910-20

Original Japanese colour woodblock print. Size: Vertical Ôtanzaku (Mitsugiriban), 36,3 x 19 cm (overall)

Excellent impression and colours, with well visible wood grain, a little gofun white heightens the monkey's face. Untrimmed,retains the wide unprinted paper margin in top as well as narrow margins in bottom and left side. Upper left corner in margin a tiny bit bevelled, two small printer’s smudges in the sky, else  excellent and crisp condition. A lovely and very rare image.
Illustrated in Reigle Newland/Perrée/Schaap, Crows, Cranes and Camellias, The natural world of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, Leiden/Boston 2010, p. 200, K41.22. Cf. also Japanische Kleinkunst, Elberfeld, n.d. (c. 1900), SLUB Dresden, sig. 92054306. Also Smithsonian, Muller Coll. S2003.8.1832.

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