Grasses at Full Moon by Ohara Koson, 1900

Grasses at Full Moon by Ohara Koson is a serene woodblock print from the early shin-hanga era, a movement that refreshed traditional Japanese printmaking at the turn of the 20th century. Here, tall, wind-stirred grasses rise into a night sky, their silhouettes poised against the pale radiance of a full moon. The composition is spare and atmospheric—quiet, balanced, and deeply observant—reflecting a Japanese reverence for seasonal change and the fleeting beauty of the natural world.

This listing offers a finely crafted reproduction as a museum-quality fine art print on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Available in a range of sizes to suit intimate corners or statement walls, it can be ordered unframed or expertly framed. The Unique Maps Co. also provides personalization and customization—title plates, margin captions, color-matched borders, and bespoke sizing—so your piece arrives ready to hang and tailored to your space.

About the artist: Ohara Koson (1877–1945) was a leading figure in shin-hanga, renowned for elegant kachō-ga (bird-and-flower) scenes and poetic landscapes. He brought classical ukiyo-e sensibilities into dialogue with modern tastes, emphasizing mood, fine gradations of tone, and a lyrical understanding of nature. His prints were prized in Japan and abroad for their delicacy and compositional clarity, qualities that have kept his work enduringly collectible.

Why this subject matters: Moonlit grasses are a cherished motif in Japanese art and poetry, often associated with autumn and the reflective practice of tsukimi, or moon-viewing. Koson’s close observation of swaying stems and seed heads captures a moment of stillness at the edge of night—transient, contemplative, and profoundly calming. The scene channels a cultural appreciation for ephemerality, making it as philosophically resonant as it is visually refined.

Color and design: The palette is restrained and harmonious—soft yellows and warm beiges halo the moon, while gentle grays and earthy tones define the grasses and ground. Fine, tapering lines describe the blades with understated rhythm, and subtle tonal washes create atmospheric depth. Ample negative space lets the subject breathe, giving the print a meditative quality that suits minimalist, wabi-sabi, or Japandi interiors. It’s an elegant focal point that invites quiet attention and softens contemporary spaces with natural poetry.

A thoughtful, timeless gift, Grasses at Full Moon is ideal for birthdays, housewarmings, weddings, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Christmas, or for anyone drawn to Japanese aesthetics, nature studies, or the memory of travels to 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.