Cat with mouse poster reproduction Creator: Kawanabe Kyosai 1870

Cat with Mouse by Kawanabe Kyōsai, created around 1870, is a Japanese woodblock-style animal image from the late Edo to early Meiji period. The composition shows a spotted cat seated with its back turned, lifting one paw while gripping a small mouse in its mouth. Kyōsai’s lively ink lines, pale washes, and open background give the scene humor, movement, and sharp observation. The work reflects the Japanese tradition of expressive animal subjects, blending playfulness with technical skill.

Kawanabe Kyōsai was a Japanese painter, printmaker, and caricaturist known for his bold draftsmanship and eccentric imagination. Trained in the Kano school, he also absorbed ukiyo-e, folk humor, and satirical illustration. His subjects ranged from animals and demons to historical scenes and comic sketches. Kyōsai remains admired for his energetic line, wit, and originality in 19th-century Japanese art.