Masao Ido - 古代の里 春日大社 (Ancient Village - Kasuga Taisha Shrine)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 古代の里 春日大社 (Ancient Village - Kasuga Taisha Shrine). A crisp architectural view from within Kasuga Taisha (春日大社), the famous Shinto shrine nestled in Nara’s sacred forest. Framed by bold vermilion beams, the scene opens onto rows of stone lanterns (灯籠) and a dense grove of ancient trees, rendered in soft greens and layered shadows. Built in the Nara period (710-784), Kasuga Taisha is part of the UNESCO-listed “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” renowned for its 3,000 lanterns and centuries-old forest paths. Ido’s composition balances structured carpentry and natural calm, capturing a moment of spiritual stillness. 🏮🌿

• Year & Edition: 1990 · Ed. 55/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 33.00 cm × W: 45.00 cm · Image H: 38.00 cm × W: 26.00 cm.
  
• Condition: Fabulous. Vermilion pigments vibrant. No marks or blemishes. Paper clean and crisp.
  
• Notes: Kasuga Taisha (春日大社) is dedicated to the deity responsible for protecting Nara. It’s famous for its long-standing traditions, including the lantern festivals and ancient kasugayama primeval forest. Ido’s print highlights the elegant contrast between the manmade and the natural, viewed from within the shrine’s covered walkway.

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]