Masao Ido - 雪月花 しだれ桜 (Snow, Moon, & Flowers - Weeping Cherryblossom)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido: 雪月花 しだれ桜 (Snow, Moon, & Flowers - Weeping Cherryblossom). Cascades of pale pink shidare-zakura blossom drift in moonlight before a richly detailed vermillion temple, its shachihoko rooftops barely visible beyond the branches. This seasonal composition reflects the poetic theme of setsu-getsu-ka (雪月花) - “Snow, Moon, & Flowers” - symbolising nature’s enduring beauty. 🌸🌕

• Year & Edition: 1995 · Ed. 96/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 44.75 cm × W: 60.75 cm; Image H: 35.50 cm × W: 51.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Wonderful. No notable blemishes or marks to image.
  
• Notes: The phrase 雪月花 (setsu-getsu-ka) stems from Chinese Tang dynasty poetry and is used to evoke Japan’s scenic splendour - such as snow in Amanohashidate, moonlight at Matsushima, and cherry blossoms at Miyajima. Ido’s rendition of cascading blossoms beneath a spring moon echoes this timeless tradition. 🌸✨

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]