Masao Ido - 樹 影 (Tree Shadows)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 樹影 (Tree Shadows). A golden-leaved maple glows against the cool stone and whitewashed walls of a Kyoto garden 🍁. Tall trees stretch across the composition, their shadows falling softly on mossy ground, while a bamboo grove rises behind the wall in deep green tones. A classic temple view in early autumn, composed with Ido’s signature textures and calm balance of colour and light.

• Year & Edition: 1991 · Ed. 55/180 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 39.50 cm × W: 50.50 cm; Image H: 30.25 cm × W: 42.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Beautiful. Clean sheet, unblemished, small handling crease to lower margin.
• Notes: 樹影 (Tree Shadows) evokes the quiet refinement of Kyoto temple grounds in transition. The yellowing maple marks the shift to kōyō (紅葉) season, as summer greens give way to autumn light. Ido’s distinct use of goma-zuri and layered colour brings depth to the natural textures - moss, bark, bamboo, and stone - capturing the seasonal mood in a timeless garden view.

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]