Masao Ido - 鳥居本 (Toriimoto)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 鳥居本 (Toriimoto). Depicting the historic post town of Toriimoto along the Nakasendō (中山道), one of the Edo period's great travel routes connecting Kyoto and Edo. This charming scene features a traditional thatched-roof teahouse nestled among lush greenery, lantern-lit noren curtains, and a quiet corner of stone path and tōrō lantern. Ido’s delicate goma-zuri textures and rich palette bring a nostalgic warmth to this beautifully preserved corner of old Japan. 🍵🏯

• Year & Edition: 1983 · Ed. 15/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 37.25 cm × W: 47.00 cm · Image H: 30.50 cm × W: 40.25 cm
  
• Condition: A lovely piece. Fresh colour, unblemished image. Crisp paper with faint mat line from prior framing.
  
• Notes: Toriimoto (鳥居本) is one of the 69 post towns of the Nakasendō, a historic inland route for travellers and merchants. Located in modern-day Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, it retains many Edo-period buildings and has been designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

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]