Masao Ido - 高知城 (Kochi Castle)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 高知城 (Kochi Castle). Bright greens and cool blues frame the stone walls and tiled gateways of Kōchi Castle, while the 天守 (tenshu, main castle keep) rises above the treetops in the distance. Ido balances the solidity of the castle’s defensive walls with the softness of surrounding pines and reflected light, creating a composed view of one of Shikoku’s most important historic sites. 🌿🏯💧

• Year & Edition: 1979. Ed. s91/100 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
• Medium: Woodblock.
• Dimensions: Paper H: 29.50 cm × W: 43.50 cm. Image H: 26.00 cm × W: 38.50 cm.
• Condition: Excellent for an earlier 1979 piece. Strong colours, paper crisp & intact.
• Notes: Kōchi Castle (高知城) was constructed in 1603 by Yamauchi Katsutoyo, lord of the Tosa domain. It is one of only twelve surviving original Edo-period castle keeps in Japan and is designated an Important Cultural Property. Also notable are the shinobi-gaeshi (忍び返し, anti-climbing defensive spikes) set along sections of the stone walls, designed to deter intruders.

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]