Details

There is a natural flow to this design. The geese are rendered in acute accuracy, something we have come to expect from the master of birds and flowers, Ohara Shoson. However, it is how the design was printed that is most noteworthy. The artist, and presumably chief printer, selected a printing block for the water with a strong wood grain pattern. The wood grain was oriented horizontally when it was printed so that its impression perfectly mimics the flow of the water as the ripples in the design advance past two graceful birds. The carving of the reflection is also noteworthy and serves to heighten the poetics of the composition.

Connoisseur's Note

This fantastic impression bears a Watanabe A-type seal, further indicating it is the first state of this design. As previously mentioned, much of the design’s success hinges on printing effects in its earliest stage. Though there are later examples that appear charming, it is only the first state of this design that serves to highlight the original intentions of the artistic team behind the print.