Ido Masao(井堂雅夫) , "Six Views of Kyoto: Koetsuji Temple(光悦寺)," 1981 | Woodblock Print | Edition 101/150 This work, "Koetsuji Temple," is part of the "Six Views of Kyoto" series created by Masao Ido in 1981. It is the 101st original edition of a limited run of 150 copies. The painting depicts Koetsuji Temple, nestled in Kyoto's Kitayama mountains. Established as an art village by Hon'ami Koetsu, this site is known not simply as a temple but as a space where the very idea of ​​Japanese beauty lives on. Koetsuji Temple was born as a utopia for the arts, bringing together artists from across disciplines, including calligraphy, pottery, lacquerware, and the tea ceremony. This place exudes a quiet beauty nurtured not by prestige or decorative beauty, but by the quiet beauty cultivated in everyday life. Ido Masao expresses this idea not through the architecture itself, but through the gardens, fences, trees, and layers of air. This work is dominated by muted autumn tones, with overlapping shades of yellow, green, and deep green. This is Kyoto not at the height of its autumn foliage, but when the light is beginning to soften. Rather than capturing the peak of the season, the work captures the beauty of its transition. The grainy color surfaces characteristic of woodblock prints evoke the sound of leaves rustling and even the beginnings of a chill in the air. Of the "Six Views of Kyoto" series, "Koetsuji Temple" is the most introspective work, depicting not a glamorous landmark, but a place slightly removed from the tourist center, where thought and silence reign. This work symbolizes "Kyoto as the spirit." ◆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 30×41.5cm 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.