In old Tokyo, known as “Edo” during the early modern period, fashion snaps and entertainment magazines came in the form of “Ukiyo-e” (“pictures of the floating world”). There were many Ukiyo-e shops in Edo, which sold various woodblock prints, just as news agents or book shops sell magazines or posters today. Each Ukiyo-e print was sold individually to customers, who bought these beautifully printed sheets of paper to learn the most up-to-date trends of the day, and who also sometimes enjoyed them as artworks or as interior decor by displaying them on their walls.

This art book, Cats by Kuniyoshi, features cats depicted humorously and satirically in the woodblock prints of the outstanding Ukiyo-e master UTAGAWA Kuniyoshi (1797-1861). Each of the 60 art reproductions can be removed easily, offering today’s readers a fun and authentic way to appreciate Ukiyo-e. The simple, yet unique, design on the back side of each page provides even more creative ideas.

Cats by Kuniyoshi is a must-have art book for Japanese art and cat lovers alike, as well as anyone looking for a new perspective on art.

絵草紙屋の店先で気に入った絵を選ぶように、１枚の絵をB5判の１ページ大で楽しむ趣向の「めでる国芳ブック」シリーズ。

第１弾の猫は、味わい深い美人画の猫、代表作の猫の当字、役者の似顔絵ほか、猫を描いためずらしい絵も収録。

「猫は、いわば人の掌の上で生きている小さな動物。人は、その掌の上の動物と、対等にやり合ったり、ときには下に敷かれたりしながら、この仲間との関係に喜びを感じるのである。猫のプライドの高さを味わい、時折みせるへまを、彼らのプライドを傷つけないよう口を塞ぎながら笑う。そして、そんな人と猫の独特の関係を絵の中でも堪能することこそ、国芳の描いた猫の味わい方だし、それこそが、国芳という画家と猫との関係を読み取ることでもあるだろう」。（本文より）

AUTHOR

Nobuhisa Kaneko 金子信久

PUBLISHER

Daifuku Shorin

LANGUAGE

J/E Bilingual

SIZE

257 x 182mm

PAGES

152 Pages ( 60 removable sheets + 32 pages) pp. (Full Color/Back Side in 1C)

BINDING

Softbound