Dancing Cats Magnet

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 – 1861) was one of the leading Ukiyo-e artists of the late Edo period in 19th century Japan. Among his favourite subjects were cats. This image features cats having a highland fling and the illustration is fantastic in its depiction of character both feline and human. We’re puzzled that the artist could recreate the energy of Scottish highland dress and dance so faithfully (check out the tartan and bonnets!), bearing in mind that Japan was still a feudal state and a closed book to foreigners. Incredibly Utagawa must have seen Scots dancing a highland fling. He did own a collection of Western engraving prints – perhaps he saw a depiction of the dance in one of these...? Whatever, once seen, never forgotten. Here Utagawa translates the verve of the dance as performed by his favourite animals – cats.