Masao Ido - ふるさとの詩 (Poetry of Hometown)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: ふるさとの詩 (Poetry of Hometown). This lively piece captures the joyful atmosphere of a summer festival in rural Japan. Paper lanterns glow in the warm dusk sky, while families and children in yukata gather to enjoy traditional stalls, goldfish scooping, and sweets beneath fluttering flags for shaved ice (氷). With rich colour and nostalgic charm, Ido evokes the warmth of community and seasonal celebration. A fabulous piece from his Poetry of Hometown series. 🎐🎆

• Year & Edition: c.1985 · Artist’s Proof (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet approx. H: 38.75 cm × W: 38.50 cm.
  
• Condition: Excellent. Unblemished image with rich colour. Paper crisp and clean.
  
• Notes: Originally published as part of a six-print series titled ふるさとの詩 (Poetry of Hometown), celebrating nostalgic views of rural Japan and seasonal traditions.

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]