Japanese Waxwing on Maple by Ohara Koson, 1900

Japanese waxwing on maple by Ohara Koson invites the viewer into a quiet moment of nature distilled to its essentials. Created around 1900, this lyrical woodblock print comes from Japan’s kachō-e tradition—bird-and-flower imagery rooted in ukiyo-e yet refined for early 20th‑century tastes. Koson’s measured lines, silken shading, and generous negative space focus attention on a single poised bird and the rustling geometry of maple leaves, celebrating season, stillness, and the beauty of restraint.

This listing is for a premium fine art reproduction by The Unique Maps Co., available on acid-free archival paper or on artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes—from intimate to statement—along with optional framing in gallery-grade finishes. We can add tasteful borders, matting, and captioning with the title, artist, and date, and we’re happy to accommodate personalization and custom sizing to fit your space.

Ohara Koson (1877–1945) was a master of kachō-e, admired for capturing birds and flowers with luminous subtlety. Working as traditional woodblock printing evolved into the modern era, he helped carry forward the poise and poetry of ukiyo-e while embracing contemporary sensibilities. His prints were cherished both in Japan and abroad for their quiet drama and immaculate craft.

In Japanese waxwing on maple, Koson turns to a favorite subject: the Japanese waxwing, Bombycilla japonica, alighting among maple leaves (Acer). The single-figure composition amplifies the sense of contemplation—a hallmark of the artist’s work—while the branching diagonals and leaf silhouettes suggest a passing breeze. The scene’s seasonal inflection likely hints at autumn, when maples deepen in tone, enriching the emotional register of the print.

Color and design are handled with exquisite restraint. A warm yellow-beige ground shifts in a subtle gradient that deepens the sense of depth, while the bird’s soft grays and light browns are punctuated by the crisp, deep reds of the maple. Delicate keylines define serrated leaves and feathering without heaviness, and the airy spacing lets the subject breathe. This serene balance of naturalism and stylization suits contemporary interiors—from minimal and Japandi schemes to eclectic walls—making the print an elegant focal point or the anchor of a nature-inspired gallery.

A timeless celebration of quiet beauty, this piece makes a thoughtful gift for bird lovers, Japan enthusiasts, and admirers of classic printmaking. It’s a refined choice for Christmas, Mother’s or Father’s Day, birthdays, housewarmings, or welcoming back someone who has recently travelled 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.