Two siegeled redtails with cherry blossom 1900 - 1936

Ohara Koson made this print of two siegeled redtails with cherry blossom sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, and it's a real beauty. Just imagine the artist carefully carving the woodblock, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. Each layer of color is like a gentle whisper, building up the scene. There’s a delicate balance, and the light palette feels hopeful. The birds look so soft, nestled among the pale pink cherry blossoms. You can almost feel the warmth of spring, right? I can imagine Koson-san watching these little birds, trying to capture their essence – their quick movements, their quiet moments of rest. It reminds me that painting, or any kind of making, is like having a conversation. Artists learn from the world, from each other, from the past, and then respond with their own unique vision. Each mark is a thought, a feeling, a tiny piece of a bigger story.