{"product_id":"mandarin-ducks-on-water-by-ohara-koson-1877","title":"Mandarin Ducks on Water by Ohara Koson, 1877","description":"\u003cp\u003eMandarin Ducks on Water by Ohara Koson invites the viewer into a moment of poised stillness, where a pair of waterfowl glide across a glassy surface beneath slender fronds of bamboo. Koson—born in 1877 and celebrated for his elegant bird-and-flower prints—helped carry the Japanese shin-hanga movement into international esteem, renewing classical woodblock traditions with a sensitive eye for atmosphere, seasonal nuance, and natural grace. In this composition, the birds’ patterned plumage and the soft, reflective water are rendered with refined simplicity, capturing both motion and calm in a single breath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis listing is for a museum-quality fine art print produced from high-resolution archival imagery, available on acid-free, heavyweight art paper or on artist’s cotton canvas. The Unique Maps Co. offers a range of sizes, expert framing and matting, and tasteful personalization—such as custom title plates or inscriptions—so you can tailor the piece to your space. Each print is made with long-lasting, fade-resistant inks to honor the delicacy and tonal richness of the original woodblock impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOhara Koson—also known as Shoson or Hoson—was a leading figure of shin-hanga, the early 20th-century revival that retained the collaborative craft of ukiyo-e woodblock printing while embracing more naturalistic light, shading, and mood. He became especially known for kachō-e (bird-and-flower pictures), distilling a subject’s essence through measured linework, atmospheric gradients, and an exquisite sense of balance. His works feel at once traditional and freshly observed, a harmony of discipline and poetry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subject here is the mandarin duck, a species long cherished in East Asia as a symbol of fidelity and harmonious partnership. Koson’s arrangement—two birds drifting in step, the water gently pleating around them—carries a quiet narrative of companionship. Bamboo and ripples set the scene with meditative clarity, and the strategic use of negative space heightens the floating serenity, letting the viewer “breathe” with the picture. The piece’s restrained storytelling makes it deeply versatile, equally at home in a tranquil bedroom or a contemplative reading nook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColor is handled with understated sophistication: warm yellows and beiges support touches of orange in the plumage, while subtle notes of cool blue add depth without breaking the harmony. Rounded, organic forms of the ducks play against the slender, vertical accents of bamboo, and the delicate carving and printing imitate the softness of ink wash. The result is a composition that feels both minimal and lush—rich in texture while remaining beautifully uncluttered. For collectors and nature lovers alike, this is a timeless statement of grace. For those who appreciate zoological accuracy, the species is known scientifically as Aix galericulata.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMandarin Ducks on Water makes an elegant, thoughtful gift—perfect for weddings and anniversaries (a nod to the ducks’ symbolism), housewarmings, Christmas, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or for anyone returning from travels in Japan. Its quiet beauty and contemplative palette complement minimalist, Japandi, and Scandinavian interiors, bringing a calm, restorative presence to any room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind \u003cspan\u003e–\u003c\/span\u003e a different size, a different colour, a special frame \u003cspan\u003e–\u003c\/span\u003e then please \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact me\u003c\/a\u003e. I usually respond within a few minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou 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 \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003emore examples of personalisation\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also choose to \u003cem\u003eage\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/sepia-aged-maps\"\u003elots of examples of other aged artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI 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 \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/contact-us\" data-mce-href=\"\/es\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/map-finishes-framed-canvas\"\u003estandard frames\u003c\/a\u003e come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/custom-framing\"\u003ecustom framing\u003c\/a\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58330807632256,"sku":"UM00301289A","price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58330807665024,"sku":"UM00301290A","price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9x18in (23x45cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58330807697792,"sku":"UM00301291A","price":105.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58330807730560,"sku":"UM00301292A","price":63.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58330807763328,"sku":"UM00301293A","price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x24in (30x60cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58330807796096,"sku":"UM00301294A","price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58330807828864,"sku":"UM00301295A","price":88.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58330807861632,"sku":"UM00301296A","price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x36in (40x90cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58330807894400,"sku":"UM00301297A","price":250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58330807927168,"sku":"UM00301298A","price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58330807959936,"sku":"UM00301299A","price":330.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x40in (50x100cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58330807992704,"sku":"UM00301300A","price":330.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58330808025472,"sku":"UM00301301A","price":195.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58330808058240,"sku":"UM00301302A","price":875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"22x50in (56x127cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58330808091008,"sku":"UM00301303A","price":875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58330808123776,"sku":"UM00301304A","price":265.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58330808156544,"sku":"UM00301305A","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"27x60in (70x150cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58330808189312,"sku":"UM00301306A","price":1300.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58330808222080,"sku":"UM00301307A","price":415.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58330808254848,"sku":"UM00301308A","price":1875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"32x70in (80x178cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58330808287616,"sku":"UM00301309A","price":1750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_e075ed12-0d88-42bf-aea5-633b668b9ef9.jpg?v=1782401442","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.co.uk\/es\/products\/mandarin-ducks-on-water-by-ohara-koson-1877","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}