Masao Ido - いかるがの朝 (Morning in Ikaruga)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: いかるがの朝 (Morning in Ikaruga). Dawn breaks over the temple town of Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, with the five-storey pagoda of Hōryū-ji (法隆寺) rising above a sea of tiled rooftops and dense greenery. The sky glows in warm gold and orange bands, fading into soft grey clouds, while fresh greens of the foreground trees captures the early morning. Ido balances architectural rhythm with natural textures, creating a luminous view of this ancient landscape. ☀️🏯🌿

• Year & Edition: 1990. Ed. 155/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Paper H: 32.00 cm × W: 43.75 cm. Image H: 26.00 cm × W: 38.00 cm.
  
• Condition: A stunning piece in rich vibrant Ido Greens. Paper unmarked, clean, & crisp.
  
• Notes: Ikaruga (斑鳩町) is home to Hōryū-ji, founded in the 7th century by Prince Shōtoku and recognised as one of the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures. Ido’s print captures the temple’s enduring presence within the surrounding townscape and forest at daybreak.

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]