Ido Masao(井堂雅夫) "Six Views of Kyoto, Takao(高雄)" 1981 | Woodblock Print | Edition 101/150 "Takao" is one of Ido Masao's lifelong "Six Views of Kyoto" series. Produced in 1981, this precious original edition is the 101st of a limited run of 150. The painting depicts Takao, a scenic spot in the northern part of Kyoto. A vermilion bridge spanning a clear stream, autumn leaves reflected on the river's surface, and a quiet mountain temple. This is not a tourist attraction, but a place where "Kyoto truly lives and breathes." Though located close to Kyoto city center, Takao has long been known as a place of training, faith, and tranquility. In autumn, the entire mountain is bathed in shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the landscape transforms from something to be "seen" into an enveloping experience. Ido Masao depicts this place not as a famous landmark, but as the Kyoto of his memories. Human figures are kept to a minimum; only nature, architecture, and the flow of water are arranged in a gentle rhythm. The greatest feature of Ido Masao's woodblock prints is that the colors themselves express emotions. In this work, the autumn leaves changing from crimson to orange, the tranquil gray of the cobblestones, the clear blue of the stream, and the iconic red of the vermilion bridge all overlap to create the very "atmosphere" of autumn in Takao. Comprised of overlapping color fields and woodblock prints without relying too heavily on outlines, the image is a uniquely Japanese visual poem that differs from Western prints. "Six Views of Kyoto" is a series in which Ido Masao carefully selects "sceneries of Kyoto that he wishes to preserve forever." While each work stands alone, collecting them as a series brings to light the four seasons and memories of Kyoto that the artist has continually observed. "Takao" in particular is acclaimed as a piece that demonstrates the close relationship between nature and people. On an autumn afternoon, I walk through a mountain path, cross a bridge, and listen to the sound of the river. The presence of people fades away, and only color, water, and time flow by. This woodblock print gently captures on paper the memory of one day spent in Kyoto. ◆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 30×41.3cm Picture 26×38cm [Condition] There are no noticeable scratches, but please note that this is an 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.