Ohara Koson (Shōson)

Born in Kanazawa. Original name Ohara Matao. Studied with Shijö-style painter Suzuki Kason. Under the name Koson made Russo-Japanese War prints in 1904 and many small kachö prints published by Matsuki Heikichi of Daikokuya for export. In 1912 changed name to Shöson and dedicated himself to painting but may have designed a few more prints for Daikokuya under the name Koson. In 1926 resumed kachö hanga production. Published chiefly by Watanabe Shözaburö but also by Nishinomiya Yosaku and Sakai-Kawaguchi. Hundreds of Shöson bird prints exported to U.S. Used the name Höson on works published by Sakai-Kawaguchi.

Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada, Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975

U.S.A.: University of Hawaii Press, 1992, Page 116