Masao Ido - 石割桜 (Ishiwarizakura)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 石割桜 (Ishiwari-Zakura, Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree). This striking composition honours one of Japan’s most celebrated natural landmarks - an ancient cherry tree that has flourished for over 380 years from a crack in a granite boulder. Set against a glowing moonlit sky and captured in full bloom, Ido’s rendition bursts with dense blossoms, soft light, and the quiet wonder of springtime in Iwate. 🌸🌕

• Year & Edition: 1995 · Ed. 70/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 43.00 cm × W: 63.25 cm; Image H: 37.50 cm × W: 55.50 cm.
  
• Condition: Wonderful. No notable marks or blemishes. Light handling to margin edge.
  
• Notes: The Ishiwari-Zakura (石割桜) is located outside Morioka District Court in Iwate Prefecture. It was declared a National Natural Monument in 1923 and is illuminated each spring, attracting thousands of visitors to witness its luminous beauty at night.

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]