Dancing Cats Postcard

This postcard with difference feaures a fantastic illustration of cats dancing the Highland Fling. It's the work of Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 – 1861) one of the leading Ukiyo-e artists of the late Edo period in 19th century Japan. Among his favourite subjects were cats. The image on this gorgeous postcard is fantastic in its depiction of character. 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. The perfect postcard for cat lovers.