Masao Ido - 鞆.潮待ち港 (Tomo. Shiomachi Port)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 鞆.潮待ち港 (Tomo: Shiomachi Port). Depicting the historic harbour of Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture, this peaceful port scene shows wooden fishing boats moored in calm tidal waters, framed by Edo-period warehouses and mountains beyond. The title references "shiomachi" (潮待ち) - the age-old practice of sailors waiting for the tides to turn before setting out. Tomonoura has long been a crossroads for maritime travel on the Seto Inland Sea, and Ido's soft blue hues and balanced composition reflect the quiet stillness of this time-honoured tradition. ⛵🌊

• Year & Edition: 1993 · Ed. 112/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 33.00 cm × W: 45.50 cm · Image H: 26.00 cm × W: 38.00 cm.
  
• Condition: Lovely. No marks or blemishes to image. Paper clean, sharp, and intact.
  
• Notes: Once a flourishing port town during the Edo period, Tomonoura (鞆の浦) is now one of Japan’s most picturesque and preserved fishing harbours. Its timeless charm has inspired filmmakers and artists alike, including Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo and Marvel’s The Wolverine. Ido’s print captures the spirit of the shiomachi tide-waiting tradition, where ships paused for favourable currents before continuing their journey across the inland sea. 🚢🧭

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]