Masao Ido - 夕映え (Evening Glow)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 夕映え (Evening Glow). A stunning lakeside composition ablaze with sunset colour, likely depicting Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) - Japan’s largest freshwater lake and a famed historical gateway to Kyoto. A lone figure drifts across the crimson-tinted water as bold streaks of orange, red, and gold stretch across the sky. The silhouetted boat and distant island give the scene a timeless serenity, while Ido’s layering of pigment creates a spectacular glow reflecting the moment’s quiet grandeur. 🔥🌅

• Year & Edition: 1997 · Ed. 145/250 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 42.50 cm × W: 54.00 cm · Image H: 34.25 cm × W: 45.75 cm.
  
• Condition: Beautiful, strong colours, image unblemished. Paper crisp with tape residue and foxing verso.
  
• Notes: The title 夕映え refers to the fiery afterglow of sunset - a poetic theme in Japanese art. Lake Biwa has long inspired poets and painters for its natural grandeur and seasonal mood.

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]