Koson -- "Monkey on a Branch"

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(Click HERE for additional image)
Artist Koson (Shoson OHARA) (1877-1945)
Title "Monkey on a Branch"
(given name)
Date Early 1900's
Provenance Private placement. Consigned by a southwest print collector/dealer.
Series na
Publisher Believed to be Daikoku-ya
(Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923)
Seal, Carver/Printer (no publisher's seals--normal state)
Image Size 9 1/4 x 9 3/4
Impression Very Fine. Skillfully executed "bokashi" shading throughout; baren "sujizuri" (tracings) to bark trees; nicely detailed carving, crisp key-lines.
Condition Fair to Good. Excellent colors.
(Band of toning across bottom area--otherwise virtually flawless.) Full, original margins. Tiny stamped "Made in Japan" verso margin.
Reference/Illus "Crow, Cranes, and Camellias" #K41.23
Comments A delightful image of a monkey sitting atop a budding springtime tree branch. Seldom seen image.
Item # FW-21
Price $295 (Sold/JN)