Quail at sickle moon 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this lovely image of a quail at sickle moon with a woodblock print, it's like a whisper of a scene. Imagine the quiet concentration of the artist, carving away at the wood, guided by memory, feeling, and a deep connection to nature. The moon hangs like a delicate paper lantern in the sky and the bird is caught mid-flight, perhaps in a moment of contemplation. Did you notice how the soft grays and browns evoke a sense of calm, while the stark white of the moon adds a touch of mystery? The quail's wings are spread wide, each feather meticulously rendered. I wonder if he or she felt a kinship with the bird, observing its movements, and trying to capture its essence in line and form. Woodblock prints such as these are about a conversation between nature and the artist, each informing the other, isn't it? It reminds me of other printmakers I admire, like Hiroshige and Hokusai, who were also masters of capturing the beauty of the natural world.