Snipe in Rain 

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print, "Snipe in Rain," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It depicts a snipe standing in a wet landscape during a rain shower. Koson was part of the Shin-Hanga movement in Japan, which revitalized traditional ukiyo-e woodblock printing, but with a focus on naturalism and individual expression. This movement emerged during the Meiji era as Japan opened to the West and modernized rapidly. "Snipe in Rain" reflects this blend of old and new. While the subject matter evokes traditional Japanese nature prints, the realism in the bird's depiction and the atmospheric rendering of the rain show Western influence. Koson's work catered to both domestic and foreign markets, reflecting Japan's changing relationship with the world. Understanding Koson's place within the Shin-Hanga movement, and the socio-economic factors driving it, requires delving into the art market of the time, exhibition records, and the writings of artists and critics. Through this we appreciate how art is embedded in its time.