Masao Ido - 雪月花 嵐山 (Snow, Moon, & Flowers - Arashiyama)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 雪月花 嵐山 (Snow, Moon, & Flowers - Arashiyama). A breathtaking view from Kyoto’s famous Togetsu-kyo Bridge (渡月橋) in winter, as snow falls gently across the Katsura River and toward the wooded slopes of Mt. Arashiyama. The landscape is dotted with temples, pagodas, and pines, captured in Ido’s signature palette with scattered white pigment conveying drifting snow. Part of his “Snow, Moon, & Flowers” (雪月花) series - a homage to nature’s three poetic elements - this piece offers a timeless glimpse of old Kyoto. ❄️🌲🏯

• Year & Edition: 1995 · Ed. 100/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 59.00 cm × W: 43.25 cm · Image H: 51.50 cm × W: 35.50 cm.
  
• Condition: A magnificent piece with no notable marks or blemishes to the image. Scattered snowfall pigment across the surface. 
  
• Notes: Arashiyama (嵐山), located on the western edge of Kyoto, is one of Japan’s most iconic scenic areas. The famed Togetsu-kyo Bridge was originally built during the Heian period and is especially admired in winter and spring. Ido’s series title, Snow, Moon, & Flowers (雪月花 / setsu-getsu-ka), draws from classical Chinese and Japanese poetry celebrating the seasonal beauty of nature.

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]