One of the Meiji Period’s most prolific artists painted more cats than you might have expected.
Shunso Hishida helped pioneer a movement of colors that replaced the line drawings that were typical of traditional Japanese-style paintings in the 19th century. During his lifetime, his style, called morotai,(literally “vague style”) was heavily criticized and gained very little support. However, by combing morotai with line drawings, his works eventually came to be regarded as national treasures, though we think the honor might also have something to do with the number of cats in his paintings!
His most famous piece, Kuroki Neko, resides in the Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum, and the features painted on the cat make it quite expressive. It’s easy to see why it’s a priceless piece of Japanese art history.
It turns out that there are plenty of other paintings where a cat makes an appearance in his work. Strangely, it seems to be the same two cats every time.
▼ Shiroki Neko – In contrast to the black cat from above, this white cat drawn in 1901 seems very calm.
▼ Shunjitsu – A piece from 1902 showing an idle spring day.
▼ Neko Ume – Completed in 1906, this piece features a mature cat under plum blossoms.
▼ Ume ni Neko – A slightly different cat now in the plum blossom tree.
▼ Tsubaki ni Neko – A cute, white cat among camellia from 1909.
▼ Kuroneko – Similar in both name and design, this black cat was also completed in 1910.
▼ Kaki ni Neko – Presumably the same black kitty playing in more persimmon trees.
▼ Aogiri ni Neko – Another piece from 1910, the cat is peacefully lounging under a Chinese parasol tree.
Maybe these two felines were just strays that roamed the areas that Hishida liked to paint, or maybe they were his own two cats! Or could this master artist have just been going through a cat portrait phase? All joking aside, his distinctive style helped to influence many Japanese artists in the coming years. We’ll have to scour the history books, but you might say that Hishida created the very first cat memes.
Source: Japaaan Magazine
Top image: Tsumami Hon Zoka Chu?!, Wikipedia, Mizuno Art Blog, ARTcollectors, Adachi Museum of Art (edited by RocketNews24)
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
The pros and cons of working from a Japanese hot spring inn
Does Ippudo’s new plant-based tonkotsu ramen really taste like pork?
Buildings transform into giant robots in Japanese real estate company’s anime commercial【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
The pros and cons of working from a Japanese hot spring inn
Does Ippudo’s new plant-based tonkotsu ramen really taste like pork?
Buildings transform into giant robots in Japanese real estate company’s anime commercial【Video】
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Chinese bootleg invites us to learn about the wonderful world of anime legend…Guzuo Miyazaki?!?
Well I never knew that! Video shows secret sleeping quarters for night bus drivers
The “Nintendo PlayStation”: a look at the console that could’ve changed gaming history【Video】
Sakuramochi festival sweetens things up at Tokyo’s Seibu Ikebukuro this season
Japanese minimalist retailer Muji launches new set of disaster preparedness kits