Masao Ido - 武家屋敷 (松江) (Samurai residence (Matsue))

A fabulous print by Masao Ido depicting a quiet view of a traditional samurai residence (武家屋敷) in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture 🍂🏯. Tiled rooftops and white earthen walls line the quiet street, with a backdrop of autumnal persimmon trees and wooden gate panels hinting at life within. Part of the historic Shiomi Nawate district - one of Japan’s designated “100 Famous Roads” - the area preserves the architecture and atmosphere of Edo-period Matsue, where samurai once served the castle town.

• Year & Edition: 1988. Edition 59/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Paper H: 31.75 cm × W: 46.00 cm. Image H: 26.00 cm × W: 38.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Excellent. Image face clean and unmarked. Minor handling to margin only.
  
• Notes: This print likely depicts the Matsue Buke Yashiki (武家屋敷), a preserved Edo-period samurai home open to the public. It lies along Shiomi Nawate - a charming street running beside Matsue Castle’s moat, lined with traditional buildings and shaded by seasonal trees.

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]