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)
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Soaking in glimmering water and the essence of prehistoric plants at a Hokkaido hot spring
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Soaking in glimmering water and the essence of prehistoric plants at a Hokkaido hot spring
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Mikado Coffee is a 76-year-old coffee chain with a major celebrity connection
Taste-testing Japan’s three biggest convenience stores store-brand cup ramen【Taste test】
Dom Dom Burger releasing Power-Ranger-themed Super Sentai Burger
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Where will you go this summer? Here are the top 10 Japanese swimming spots with the nicest water
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Mikado Coffee is a 76-year-old coffee chain with a major celebrity connection
Taste-testing Japan’s three biggest convenience stores store-brand cup ramen【Taste test】
Dom Dom Burger releasing Power-Ranger-themed Super Sentai Burger
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Where will you go this summer? Here are the top 10 Japanese swimming spots with the nicest water
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
Flex and pose your way to fitness with the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure exercise program!【Video】
You can now get Poké Ball-shape diamonds for your rings in Japan【Photos】
Everything you wanted to know about the Ainu, with photos and video【Rocketpedia】
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Kyoto shrine holding beautiful after-dark cherry blossom event this spring
Japan’s 48 Ways to Poop is here to uncork your colonic creativity 【Pictures】
Anime and video game backgrounds now free to download for video conference calls
Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]