Ohara Shoson: Pair of Pheasants in Snow Holiday Cards

Ohara Shōson (Japanese, 1877–1945)
Pair of Pheasants in Snow, early 20th century

By the early twentieth century, artists such as Ohara Shōson ushered in the shin hanga, or “new prints,” movement that helped revive the Japanese ukiyo-e printmaking tradition. These prints were geared toward western audiences but retained the traditional craftsmanship of ukiyo-e. With their depth and delicacy, Shōson’s elegant kacho-e (bird-and-flower prints) capture the fleeting beauty of nature.