Masao Ido - 美山の春 (Spring in Miyama)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 美山の春 (Spring in Miyama). Traditional thatched-roof houses sit quietly beneath blooming cherry trees in the rural village of Miyama, north of Kyoto. Soft pink sakura line the scene, their petals contrasting with the dark wooden structures and fresh greens of early spring. The composition balances the weight of the farmhouses with the lightness of the blossoms, capturing a fleeting seasonal moment in the Japanese countryside. 🌸🏡🌿

• Year & Edition: 2000. Ed. 19/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
• Medium: Woodblock.
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 43.00 cm × W: 59.00 cm · Image H: 36.00 cm × W: 51.50 cm.
  
• Condition: Beautiful. Colours vibrant, paper clean, crisp, & intact.
• Notes: Miyama (美山町), located in Kyoto Prefecture, is known for its preserved thatched-roof farmhouses (茅葺き屋根, kayabuki yane), similar to those found in Shirakawa-go. The print reflects the harmony between rural life and the changing seasons, with cherry blossom marking the arrival of spring.

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]