Flying Pheasant by Ohara Koson, 1910

Flying Pheasant (1910) by Ohara Koson is a quintessential shin-hanga woodblock print that captures a pheasant in full, effortless flight against a soft, atmospheric ground. Created at the dawn of the 20th century, the image sits at the crossroads of tradition and modernity: classic Japanese composition and carving align with an emerging taste for naturalistic light and perspective. The result is a scene that feels both meditative and alive—the bird arcs across a quiet sky while the suggestion of distant branches and leaves builds a gentle sense of depth.

Available exclusively from The Unique Maps Co., this artwork is offered as a high-quality fine art print on acid-free archival paper or on finely textured artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with optional framing to arrive display-ready. We can personalize your piece with custom margins, title plates, or inscriptions, and we’re happy to accommodate bespoke sizing and color-matched borders so the print integrates seamlessly with your interior.

Ohara Koson (1877–1945) is celebrated for his kachō-ga—images of birds-and-flowers rendered with exquisite sensitivity and technical control. A leading figure of the shin-hanga movement, Koson embraced collaborative printmaking with master carvers and printers, achieving subtle gradations and delicate linework that feel almost painterly. His nature studies earned admiration in Japan and abroad, where they resonated with an international audience newly attuned to the beauty of Japanese print design.

In Flying Pheasant, Koson distills the essence of motion into a single, perfectly timed moment. The pheasant’s body sweeps diagonally across the sheet, wings extended, tail streaming—a dynamic silhouette balanced by the quiet rhythm of overlapping twigs and leaves behind it. Created during an era of cultural exchange following the Meiji period, the print reflects a modernized approach to space and atmosphere while honoring the poetic attention to wildlife that anchors traditional Japanese aesthetics. The pheasant—long admired in East Asian art—here becomes an emblem of season, vitality, and the fleeting grace of the natural world.

Color and craft are central to the print’s appeal. A calm field of yellow and beige washes into soft gray, forming a luminous air through which the bird moves. The background remains restrained and textural, allowing nuanced accents on the plumage—earthy browns, muted greens, and quiet grays—to take precedence without overwhelming the eye. Look closely and you’ll see the hallmark shin-hanga refinements: crisp carving at the feather edges, varied strokes that suggest softness and speed, and delicate tonal transitions (bokashi) that evoke early morning light. It’s a serene, versatile palette that complements neutral interiors while offering a focal point of elegant movement—ideal over a console, in a tranquil bedroom, or as a gallery anchor in a living space.

This fine art print makes a thoughtful gift for lovers of Japanese art and design, bird and wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to understated, nature-inspired decor. It’s a beautiful choice for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a housewarming, or as a meaningful present for someone who has traveled to or dreams of visiting Japan.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

This artwork is taller than most, which would make it a perfect statement piece in a panelled room, on a gallery wall, or perhaps alongside another tall piece of art or furniture.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.