Utagawa Kunitoshi: Popular Hotspring Spa of Cats (1881)

(Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA)

A print made by the Japanese artist Utagawa Kunitoshi (1847–1899). The depiction of animals in art was always very popular in the West and in the East. A popular theme was always 'the upside down world' - animals acting like humans. In this print cats are the subject. At the bottom several cats can be seen entering through a gate to a spa. Next they have tea, shed robes and take a shower before entering the spa. On the left side the kimono-donning kitties are climbing to the top of the house where they relax in another tea ceremony. Print from 1881.