Ido Masao(井堂雅夫) Heisei Ukiyo-e – Kyoto One Hundred Views, Vol. 10 Imperial Palace Ten Views: “Boat Landing near Yūshin-tei(又新亭舟着), Sento Imperial Palace” Woodblock print / Publisher: Kaneido This refined woodblock print by Masao Ido captures a quiet rainy scene at the Sento Imperial Palace, one of the most elegant garden complexes within Kyoto’s imperial grounds. The scene centers on the boat landing associated with Yūshin-tei, a small garden pavilion within the Sento Imperial Palace grounds. Rather than depicting ceremonial architecture or a grand imperial facade, Ido focuses on a modest wooden boat resting silently at the edge of the pond. This choice is characteristic of his art: he often finds the spirit of Kyoto not in spectacle, but in the quieter details that reveal how a place is actually experienced. The Sento Imperial Palace was originally created in the early Edo period as a residence for retired emperors. Its garden developed as a refined setting for walking, seasonal viewing, poetry, tea, and boating. Water therefore plays an essential role in the landscape, linking the various garden scenes into a continuous journey. In this print, the small boat and landing quietly suggest that history of courtly leisure and contemplation. The boat itself becomes the emotional center of the composition. It is empty, tied beside the shore, as though its passengers have just stepped away—or may return at any moment. This absence of figures leaves space for the viewer’s imagination. Instead of observing the scene from outside, we are invited to become part of it. Ido’s restrained palette of blue-green water, soft greens, greys and natural wood tones perfectly expresses the subdued beauty of a rainy Kyoto day. The image avoids dramatic color contrasts; instead, it relies on subtle layering and rhythm. The dense foliage across the far bank forms a calm backdrop, while the broad expanse of water creates a feeling of openness and stillness. ◆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 of the artwork] Overall size 34.7×42.3cm Picture 24.5×34.9cm [Condition] Excellent condition. Please check the photos before bidding. 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.