OHARA KOSON (1877-1945), SCOPS OWL IN FLIGHT, CHERRY BLOSSOMS AND FULL MOONBy Ohara Koson (1878-1945), signed and sealed ShosonJapan, first half of 20th century, late Meiji (1868-1912) to early Showa period (1926-1989)Color woodblock print on paper in Naga Oban format. Published by Kokkeido (Akiyama Buemon). Scops Owl in Flight, Cherry Blossoms and Full Moon. Keen-eyed owl flies past a cherry branch full of blossoms. A large full moon is seen in the background.SIZE of the sheet 50 x 22 cmCondition: Excellent condition with good impression and fresh colors. Provenance: From the private collection of a British artist, formed in the 1990s.Ohara Koson (1877-1945) was a Japanese painter and woodblock print designer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, part of the shin-hanga (“new prints”) movement. He is famous as a master of kacho-e (bird-and-flower) designs. Throughout a prolific career, in which he created around 500 prints, he went by three different titles: Ohara Hoson, Ohara Shoson, and Ohara Koson.Museum comparison:A closely related print is in the collection of the Harvard Art Museum, object number 1937.117.