Masao Ido - 朝の石手寺 (Morning at Ishite-ji Temple)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 朝の石手寺 (Morning at Ishite-ji Temple). Pilgrims in traditional white robes gather within the temple grounds of Ishite-ji in Matsuyama, moving between stone paths, incense burners, and wooden halls. Soft morning light filters through the scene, illuminating the figures and structures with a calm clarity. Ido captures the lived rhythm of the temple, balancing architectural detail with the quiet movement of pilgrimage. ⛩️🌿✨

• Year & Edition: 1995. Ed. 65/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
• Medium: Woodblock.
• Dimensions: Paper H: 37.50 cm × W: 51.00 cm. Image H: 30.25 cm × W: 44.50 cm.
• Condition: Excellent. A beautiful, clean, unblemished, vibrant colours.
• Notes: Ishite-ji (石手寺), located in Matsuyama, is the 51st temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路), a 1,300+ km route linking 88 temples associated with Kūkai (空海). Pilgrims, known as ohenro (お遍路), traditionally wear white garments and travel the route as an act of devotion and reflection.

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]