Ido Masao "Kajimachi" From the woodblock print collection "Dekayama" 1981 Edition: 154 / 200 This work depicts people supporting the giant "Dekayama" float from below, from the side, and with their entire bodies at the Seihakusai Festival in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The theme is the strength required to withstand the weight and prevent it from falling over. The backs of the figures, positioned prominently in the foreground, dig into the ropes, their feet bracing, their bodies twisting. While facial expressions are minimal, their movements themselves convey their emotions. This work is composed in monochrome, almost entirely devoid of color. However, the black is not simply a shadow; it functions as a "color of power" to visually express the overwhelming weight of the float, the strain on the human body, and the tension that does not allow for even a moment of letdown. Masao Ido's works rarely feature heroes or protagonists. What is depicted is always nameless people, actions that are an extension of everyday life, and repeated time. Kajimachi, too, is not a tourist-oriented festival painting, but a work that depicts the "site where culture is born." It would not exist without even one person. But no single person stands out. It is this balance that supports the tension in this painting. 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.