Two Deer by Ohara Koson, 1900

Two Deer by Ohara Koson introduces a moment of stillness from early 20th-century Japan, rendered with the lyric restraint that made the artist a leading voice of the shin-hanga revival. In this woodblock print (1900), a pair of deer pause beneath delicate boughs and a pale moon, their alert silhouettes set against a luminous field. Koson—celebrated for birds-and-animals subjects—melds traditional ukiyo-e sensibilities with renewed naturalism, giving the creatures a symbolic presence that feels both intimate and timeless.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Two Deer, produced by The Unique Maps Co. on your choice of acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Available in a range of sizes, each print is made with pigment inks for long-lasting color. Add a white border or margin, choose from custom framing options, and personalize with an optional caption or dedication—our studio can tailor sizing, borders, and finishes to suit your space.

Ohara Koson (1877–1945) is renowned for elegant kachōga—prints of birds, flowers, and wildlife—created during the late Meiji through early Shōwa periods. Working within the shin-hanga movement, he fused classical woodblock techniques with atmospheric effects, elevating animals to poetic protagonists. His disciplined linework and refined tonal transitions capture not only anatomy and gesture, but also the hush of a season and the mood of a place.

Two Deer is a quintessential theme in Japanese art, where deer often carry auspicious and lyrical associations. The pairing suggests quiet companionship, while the moon and turning leaves evoke autumn and the passage of time. The subject aligns with broader developments in early 20th-century printmaking, when artists expanded beyond kabuki and city scenes to embrace the nuanced beauty of the natural world. The deer here are sika deer (Cervus nippon), recognized by their distinctive spotted coats—an emblematic presence in Japanese imagery and landscape.

Koson’s restrained palette does the expressive work: a warm, honeyed yellow ground and soft whites bathe the scene in moonlit calm, while the deer’s coats move through gentle browns and subtle grays. Fine, almost calligraphic strokes detail the fur and the delicate spotting, and a touch of orange-red in the maple leaves adds a vibrant counterpoint. The airy negative space and smooth bokashi gradations heighten the sense of tranquility, making this a piece that reads beautifully from across a room yet rewards close viewing.

Understated and serene, this print makes a thoughtful gift—ideal for Christmas, Mother’s or Father’s Day, a housewarming, or for anyone who loves Japanese art, wildlife subjects, or has recently traveled to Japan (especially in autumn to places like Nara or Kyoto). Elegant on its own or as part of a curated gallery wall, Two Deer offers enduring calm and quiet sophistication in any interior.

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.