Masao Ido - 古都悠久・寂 (Ancient Capital: Stillness)

A particularly striking piece by Masao Ido: 古都悠久・寂 (Ancient Capital: Stillness). Viewed from the edge of a dark wooden veranda, two stones rest within a broad expanse of white gravel, reduced to a few carefully balanced forms. The composition draws on the restrained language of Japanese dry garden design and suggests the still, contemplative atmosphere of Ryōan-ji, where stone, space, and shadow carry equal weight. Ido creates a quiet image of stillness and control, using subtle tonal contrasts and texture to powerful effect. 🪨✨

• Year & Edition: 2000. Ed. 58/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
• Medium: Woodblock.
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 60.00 cm × W: 44.00 cm (Image H: 51.50 cm × W: 36.00cm).
• Condition: Beautiful. Clean, vibrant, unmarked. Paper clean & crisp. Small paper abrasion right margin.
• Notes: The title 古都悠久・寂 combines ideas of the ancient capital, enduring time, and quiet solitude. The composition recalls the karesansui (枯山水, dry landscape) gardens associated with Kyoto temple design, with this scene likely referencing Ryōan-ji.

About the Artist

Masao Ido (1945-2016) was a printmaker known for his Kyoto scenes, brimming with rich greenery, seasonal shades of signature “Ido Green”, and refined goma-zuri textures. Trained in traditional textile dyeing, he turned to woodblock printmaking in the early 1970s, capturing historic townscapes and seasonal views - from Kyoto to Shirakawa-go and the Nakasendō way. Printed with up to 23 colour blocks on handmade Echizen washi, his works are held in major collections including the MFA Boston, U.S. Library of Congress, and the Tokyo & Kyoto National Museums. [ ← View All Works by Masao Ido]