Masao Ido - 古代の里 長谷寺 (Ancient Village - Hasedera)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 古代の里 長谷寺 (Ancient Village - Hasedera). This peaceful view captures Hasedera’s famous Noborirō (昇り廊) - a long roofed corridor of 399 stone steps - flanked by blooming peonies and ancient stone walls. Nestled in the hills of Nara prefecture, the temple is known for its floral displays and sacred atmosphere. Ido’s composition gently evokes a moment of quiet reverence amid the blossoms and mossy stones. 🌸⛩️

• Year & Edition: 1990 · Ed. 49/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 45.50 cm × W: 34.00 cm; Image H: 38.00 cm × W: 26.00 cm.
  
• Condition: Lovely. Well stored, unblemished to image. Paper clean, crisp, & intact.
  
• Notes: Hasedera Temple (長谷寺), founded in 686 in Sakurai, Nara, is the head temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism. It houses the Eleven-Faced Kannon and is known as the "flower temple" for its seasonal displays of peonies, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and cherry blossoms. The Noborirō staircase shown here is designated an Important Cultural Property.

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]