The World of Ukiyo-e Cats: Purrfectly Curled up Neko

Cats purr with contentment, curl up into a ball to sleep, and in the next instant become skilled hunters chasing mice. They rub against you affectionately, only to wander off as if nothing happened. With their mysterious, unpredictable nature, cats have fascinated people across cultures and throughout history, and today they are more beloved than ever. It is no surprise that they have also been a favorite subject in art. People in the Edo period shared this affection. From the renowned cat enthusiast Kuniyoshi Utagawa to many other ukiyo-e masters, artists delighted in portraying cats in all their many forms. This exhibition brings together ukiyo-e prints by more than thirty artists. From playful everyday gestures and the bond between cats and people to actor prints, supernatural bakeneko, and children's toy prints, the exhibition celebrates the many ways cats have been imagined in ukiyo-e. Also on view are selected book illustrations featuring cats from the museum's own collection, offering visitors of all ages a chance to discover the irresistible charm of these much-loved companions. [Related Events] 1. Special Lecture: "Wonder of Purrfectly Curled up Neko" Date: July 11, 14:00–15:30 Speaker: Toshihiko Tsukimoto (Exhibition Supervisor; Curator, Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art) Venue: Event Room, Saitama City Chuo Library Capacity: 70 participants Admission: Free 2. Gallery Talks Dates: July 25, 14:00 (approx. 45 min), August 9, 14:00 (approx. 45 min *with Japanese Sign Language interpretation), August 21, 18:00 (approx. 45 min *with live captioning via transparent display device) *No reservation required. Exhibition admission ticket required. 3. Creative Corner Dates: July 18–August 30 (during museum opening hours, closed days excluded) Venue: Museum Audiovisual Room *Free participation. No reservation required. 4. Picture Book Readings by Librarians and Volunteers Dates: Every Tuesday and Friday from July 24 to August 25 (excluding closed days) 10:30–11:00 Venue: Museum Information Corner * Admission is free. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis from 10:20. 5. My Favorite Cat! *Submit your entry by July 3. *An exhibition admission ticket is required to view the display. 6. Relaxed Viewing Day for Children and Families Dates: July 24 and August 14 *No reservation required. Exhibition admission ticket required. *For event details and how to make a reservation, please check the official website.