Masao Ido - 秋らんまん (Autumn in Full Bloom)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 秋らんまん (Autumn in Full Bloom). Vivid red and golden maple leaves frame the view of a traditional Kyoto temple garden, where raked gravel paths and trimmed shrubs lead toward the wooden veranda of the main hall. Light glows softly through paper windows, contrasting with the rich foliage overhead. Ido’s layering of colour and texture captures the height of autumn in Kyoto - a moment of warmth and seasonal splendour. 🍁🏯✨

• Year & Edition: 1989. Ed. 15/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Paper H: 32.25 cm × W: 44.50 cm. Image H: 26.00 cm × W: 38.00 cm.
  
• Condition: A stunning piece in rich vibrant colour. Paper unmarked, clean, & crisp.
  
• Notes: The title 秋らんまん (Aki ranman) translates as “Autumn in Full Bloom.” Momiji (紅葉, autumn maples) are a central seasonal motif in Japanese art and poetry, often associated with Kyoto’s temple gardens. Ido captures this tradition with striking contrasts of red, gold, and deep "Ido" greens.

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]