Chicks and Worm 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this print, Chicks and Worm, at an unknown date using a woodblock. Look how he captures such a fleeting moment! I wonder about the artist as he carved into the wood, deciding where to leave a mark and where to leave empty space. It’s not easy to make something look this simple. I can imagine him pausing, stepping back, trying to decide how to describe the texture of the chicks’ feathers with just a few marks. And those chicks! So small and eager, all gathered around, hoping to get a bite of that worm. There’s such a feeling of anticipation and maybe even a little bit of greed in their tiny, hopeful faces. There's something ancient about this scene, yet it still feels fresh and alive. That’s what happens when an artist truly sees something and then shares it with us.