Masao Ido - 鞍馬の冬 (Winter in Kurama)

A fabulous print by Masao Ido capturing the stillness of winter at Kurama-dera (鞍馬寺), a storied temple nestled in Kyoto’s northern mountains. Soft snow settles over the stone staircase, blanketing the trees, shrubs, and tōrō lanterns in quiet white. The distant gate peeks through the flurries with its classic red façade, half-veiled in snowfall. Kurama-dera is steeped in folklore and spiritual significance - long associated with the mountain-dwelling Tengu (天狗) spirits. Ido evokes the mystical calm of this sacred site with gentle greys and cool tones. ❄️🏯

• Year & Edition: 1985. Ed.132/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Paper: H: 31.00 cm × W: 30.00 cm. Image: H: 25.25 cm × W: 25.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Lovely. Image unblemished, paper clean, sharp, and intact.
  
• Notes: Kurama-dera was founded in 770 and remains a site of pilgrimage and folklore. Ido’s depiction reflects both the serenity and layered history of this temple in winter.

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]