Gentaku(玄琢), Masao Ido, Woodblock print (AP) Thin, straight bamboo trunks reaching for the sky. Sunlight filtering through the trees quietly illuminates the stone-paved road. The overwhelming silence and harmony make it seem as if time stops for a moment when you stop to look at it. That scene is here. This work, Gentaku, is based on a quiet area in the northern part of Kyoto City called Gentaku, and beautifully depicts the contrast between stillness and movement depicted by Masao Ido. The vitality of the bamboo forest, the subdued color of the stone paving and walls, and the appearance of the lanterns seem to be telling the viewer to take a deep breath. A soundless world floats within the work. However, the rustling of bamboo leaves swaying in the wind, the feeling of stepping on the gravel underfoot, and even the soft light of the lanterns all speak to the viewer's five senses. Masao Ido is an artist who excels at capturing the "atmosphere" of a landscape, rather than "painting" it. In this work, "Gentaku," he has used detailed craftsmanship to depict not just a bamboo forest, but the "sense of your mind loosening with every step you take." This work is an "Artist Proof" that is not for general sale. Unlike regular editions, this is an extremely limited edition printed by the artist himself to check the color and finish, and is rarely available on the market. For museums and collectors, it is a special piece that is ranked at the top of the same work. About Masao Ido(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 33×46.5cm picture 26×38cm [Condition] Good condition. There is some aging, but no noticeable scratches. Please check the photos for details. Any taxes related to international shipping must be borne by the purchaser. 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.