Tree sparrow with young by Ohara Koson, 1900

Tree sparrow with young by Ohara Koson introduces a tender moment in nature through the refined lens of early 20th-century Japanese woodblock printing. Koson (1877–1945), celebrated for his kachō-e images of birds and flowers, pairs attentive observation with elegant design to capture a parent sparrow and its chicks amid drifting cherry blossom petals. Rooted in ukiyo-e traditions yet responsive to modern sensibilities, the composition distills a fleeting scene into quiet intimacy, where measured spacing, delicate linework, and a restrained palette invite slow looking.

This listing offers a high-quality fine art reproduction from The Unique Maps Co., available on acid-free archival paper or luxurious artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with optional custom framing and mounts to make hanging effortless. Personalization is available on request—add a titleplate, dedication, or date to commemorate a special occasion—so your piece arrives ready to gift or display.

About the artist: Ohara Koson—also known as Shōson—was a leading voice in the shin-hanga movement, which renewed ukiyo-e techniques for a modern audience during the late Meiji and Taishō eras. His expert command of carving and printing brought remarkable subtlety to feathers, petals, and light, and his nature-themed prints reached enthusiastic collectors in Japan and abroad. This blend of timeless craft and modern clarity is what continues to make Koson’s work so sought after today.

Why this subject matters: Depicting the tree sparrow (Passer montanus) with its young, the print embodies a beloved motif in Japanese art—birds under blossoms—where themes of kinship, good fortune, and the passage of seasons converge. The scattering cherry petals nod to the aesthetic of impermanence, enriching the family scene with poetic undercurrents. Produced in the early 1900s, the work reflects how artists reinterpreted classical subjects for a new print market while honoring the grace of earlier ukiyo-e conventions.

Color, style, and design: A warm ground of yellow moving through soft beige, lifted by gentle orange accents, supports naturalistic grays and browns in the birds’ plumage. The rounded forms suggest softness and vitality, while crisp keyblock lines and delicate shading create convincing depth without clutter. Sparse background detail and the quiet tumble of pink petals keep the eye on the tender exchange between adult and chicks—an intimate, calming focal point for any room. This harmony of tone and touch makes the print as versatile as it is evocative, equally at home in minimalist, Japandi, or classic interiors.

A thoughtful gift, this print suits Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and housewarmings, and is especially meaningful for bird lovers, new parents, or anyone who treasures Japanese art and cherry blossom season. It’s also a beautiful way to celebrate someone returning from a trip to Japan or dreaming of one to come.

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.