Kawanabe Kyosai 河鍋 暁斎: Cat, Mouse and Moon

Artist: Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋 暁斎
Title: Cat with Mouse beneath a Cloudy Moon

Early 20th century version of the famous (and incredibly scarce) Kyosai print from the 1880s. We see a short-tailed cat holding a captive rat by the tail, the cat almost bored by the game, yet frozen by the beauty of the moon. The mouse seems resigned to its fate, which does not seem to be sealed at this moment, hence the inherent drama. If any artist could provide a portrait of an ennui-filled cat, it would be Kyosai. This work has a “Made In Japan” seal verso, which was used in the 1920s and 30s. 

SKU: KSC031S