Masao Ido - 丸亀城 2 (Marugame Castle 2)

A fabulous early print by Masao Ido: 丸亀城 2 (Marugame Castle 2), depicting the historic fortress of Marugame Castle in Kagawa Prefecture. Built in 1597, the original wooden keep stands atop one of Japan’s tallest stone ramparts. Ido renders the layered landscape in his vibrant palette, with willow trees and patterned foliage lining the lower moat, leading the eye up to the white castle turret peeking above. A crisp, confident composition capturing one of Japan’s 12 remaining original castles. 🏯🌿

• Year & Edition: 1979 · Ed. 13/120 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 29.50 cm × W: 43.50 cm · Image H: 25.75 cm × W: 38.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Lovely condition. Strong colour, image unmarked. Minor general browning to outer sheet margins consistent with age.
  
• Notes: Marugame Castle (丸亀城) is one of just twelve castles in Japan to retain its original Edo-period wooden tenshu (keep). Ido’s view highlights the scale and layered perspective of the site, known for its immense stone walls and commanding hilltop 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]