Masao Ido - 高瀬川 (Takase River)

A lovely print by Masao Ido: 高瀬川 (Takase River). Depicting Kyoto’s historic Takasegawa canal, constructed in 1611 to transport goods to Osaka. A flat-bottomed boat brimming with cargo glides through clear blue water beneath willows and stone bridges, flanked by wooden machiya townhouses. Ido’s textures and colour palette evoke the quiet dignity of a bygone era in the heart of Kyoto. 🚤🌿

• Year & Edition: 1983 · Ed. 15/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock Print.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 37.50 cm × W: 47.00 cm · Image H: 30.50 cm × W: 40.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Mint. Crisp paper, vivid colour, unblemished image. Beautiful goma-zuri texture throughout.
  
• Notes: The 高瀬川 (Takasegawa) canal was built by Suminokura Ryoi during the early Edo period. Once vital for transporting rice and timber, today it offers a glimpse into Kyoto’s merchant history and continues to shape the scenic charm of districts like Kiyamachi and Fushimi.

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]