Masao Ido - 桂離宮 (Katsura Imperial Villa)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido depicting 桂離宮 (Katsura Imperial Villa) in Kyoto. Built in the early Edo period as an imperial retreat, Katsura is celebrated for its shoin-style halls and gardens of precise proportion. Ido presents a clear architectural view, with latticed panels and broad eaves set above the stone garden path. The composition is enriched by deep indigo shadows and layered greens, with fine textures that emphasise both the structure and its quiet garden setting. 🏯🌿✨

• Year & Edition: 1993. Ed. 7/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Paper H: 37.00 cm × W: 36.00 cm. Image H: 30.75 cm × W: 30.50 cm.
  
• Condition: A beautiful piece. Well stored, vibrant colours, unmarked. Clean & crisp.
  
• Notes: Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮) was commissioned in the 17th century as an imperial retreat and remains one of Kyoto’s most important cultural sites. Ido’s use of rich colour contrasts and shaded tones highlights both the formal architecture and the stillness of its garden setting.

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]