Ido Masao "Uomachi" From the woodblock print collection "Dekayama" 1981 Edition: 154 / 200 This work depicts the moment when the "Dekayama" (giant float) is pulled, the highlight of the festival, during the Seihakusai Festival held in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. A massive float commands an overwhelming presence in the center of the canvas. Surrounding it are men pulling ropes with their entire bodies, uniting their strength and calling out to each other. Although each individual's face is simplified, the tilt of their bodies, the angle of their arms, and the firmness of their feet convey the passion and tension unique to festivals. The title "Uomachi" refers to a specific place in the town of Nanao. In other words, this work is not an abstract "festival," but rather a portrait of a real town, real people, and real time. This work is composed almost entirely of black, white, and gray. However, it is these very limitations that create a powerful rhythm in the painting. Thick black outlines Body composed of planes Overlapping crowds of people A composition that emphasizes the enormous size of the floats This technique, which conveys the power, weight, and swell of a group without relying on color, demonstrates Ido Masao's sophisticated compositional skills as a woodblock artist. This work belongs to a particularly dynamic and energetic series, even among Ido's works, known for their "quiet landscapes." Masao Ido is an artist who has continued to paint landscapes and townscapes across Japan as an extension of life, rather than as a tourist attraction. In his "Big Mountain" series, too, what is depicted is not the surface of a glamorous festival. Bodies bearing the weight, roles within the community, and actions passed down from generation to generation are all carved into the work calmly but with deep respect. A quiet ode to "a culture that can only exist when people come together and join forces." This highly captivating piece combines elements of Japanese festival culture (matsuri), powerful monochrome graphicism, and 20th-century Japanese folk modernism. As an interior piece, its composition stands out against the white walls, concrete, and minimalist space, creating a striking presence as a work of Japanese art that combines stillness and movement. ◆About Ido Masao(井堂雅夫)◆ Masao Ido is a leading contemporary woodblock artist based in Kyoto, and produced numerous woodblock prints from the Showa and Heisei eras. During Japan's postwar reconstruction period, he established his own unique style that combined a modern sense of composition and beautiful colors while inheriting the techniques of traditional ukiyo-e woodblock printing. After spending his childhood in Hiroshima, he moved to Kyoto and studied under woodblock artist Inao Uchida. Since the 1970s, he has established his own studio, the Kyoto Hanga-in, and has received high acclaim at solo exhibitions and exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. Awards and exhibitions (partial excerpt) 1976: First selected for the Nitten Exhibition 1980: Received the Nitten Special Award (unusual for a woodblock artist) 1987: Exhibited at the Agency for Cultural Affairs Art Exhibition 1990 and after: Solo exhibitions in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, etc. Received the Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Merit Award (posthumous award) His works are still held in many museums and public facilities in Japan, as well as in the collections of Japanese art lovers overseas. [Size] Overall size 56.3×44cm Picture 39.3×27.5cm [Condition] Good condition Please note that this is a very good old piece and may have deteriorated over time. Please check the photos for details. Any taxes related to international shipping must be borne by the purchaser. ※Recently, there has been an increase in products being returned to Japan without paying customs duties and consumption tax upon receipt. It is the buyer's responsibility to pay customs duties and consumption tax, so please be sure to pay them. Tax rates vary by country, so please check in advance. Occasionally, customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you for customs clearance via phone or email. Kindly ensure you are available to respond. Failure to do so may result in the parcel being returned to me, incurring additional shipping fees for reshipment. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. I will pack the item securely, but there may be cases where the item is repackaged at customs or damaged upon arrival due to a mistake by the shipping company. If this happens, please contact me immediately. Please promptly send me a photo of the item when it arrives and a photo of the damage to the item. We will provide refunds depending on the situation.