Japanese Woodblock Print, originally published 1852, this Showa era from recarved woodblocks

SIZE IN INCHES: triptych (3 oban prints), each panel 10.625 x 15 inches; Overall: 31.9 x 15 inches

COMMENTS: This work humorously depicts cats in Japanese proverbs, such as “Bonito to a cat,” “Coin to a cat,” “Cat tongue” and “Not even a cat would eat it.” These bob-tailed spotted cats and calico cats are typical kinds of Japanese cats in the Edo period. With his outstanding ability to observe objects and artistic skill, Kuniyoshi, a cat lover, faithfully depicted the flexible bodies and unique poses of cats, while giving them human-like facial expressions.

KUNIYOSHI UTAGAWA (1797-1861) was born in Edo (present-day Tokyo. He was the son of a silk dyer named Yanagiya Kichiemon and was given the name Yoshisaburo at birth. At the age of 14, he joined the Utagawa School of ukiyo-e artists, then headed by Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825). Toyokuni I gave Yoshisaburo the name Utagawa Kuniyoshi; Kuniyoshi being a combination of the names Toyokuni and Yoshisaburo. In 1814, Kuniyoshi ended his apprenticeship and set out as an independent artist. He initially produced actor prints in the style of his teacher, which gained him little recognition. Kuniyoshi achieved a commercial and artistic breakthrough in 1827 with the first six designs of the series, The 108 Heroes of the Suikoden. The series was bases upon a 14th century Chinese novel about the adventures of a band of 108 honorable bandits and rebels. Like his teacher, Kuniyoshi had many students including Yoshitoshi, Yoshiku, Yoshikazu, Yoshitsuya, Yoshiyuki, Yoshifuji, Yoshifusa, Yoshiharu, Yoshikage, Yoshikata, Yoshikatsu, Yoshimori, Yoshimune, Yoshinao, Yoshinobu, Yoshitoyo, Yoshitsuna, Kyosai (briefly) and his own daughters, Yoshitora and Yoshitori. Kuniyoshi had a special fondness for cats, which overran his studio and are portrayed in many of his prints. Although Kuniyoshi is now universally known as Utagawa Kuniyoshi, he also used the names Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi, Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi, Igusa Kuniyoshi, Ichi Kuniyoshi and Saihôsa Kuniyoshi. He died from complications of a stroke on April 14, 1861.

Fine, no flaws