Songbird and plum blossom 1900 - 1936

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of a bird serenading plum blossoms at some point between the late 19th and early 20th century. I’m imagining Koson with his chisels and gouges, carving away at the block to get the forms just right. The plum blossoms feel so delicate, like they could blow away in a breeze, and yet they’re anchored by this strong, dark branch. That contrast is so interesting, isn’t it? And then there’s the bird, perched there, mouth open in song. I can almost hear the bird's song. The artist really captured a sense of movement and sound, you know? It makes me think about all the other artists who have been inspired by nature. It's like one big conversation across time. And now, we're part of that conversation too, looking and thinking and feeling.