Japan has long-been infatuated with cats, which are usually seen as creatures of good fortune. This exhibition is dedicated to ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) depicting felines at their cutest moments, such as playing with their fellow cats and struggling against the urge to doze off in front of their human owners, and at their ugliest — as monstrous creatures of traditional Japanese folk tales.
Other highlights include humorous pictures, and the works of the renowned ukiyo-e artist and cat lover, Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1798-1861), as well as those of his apprentices.
The show boasts a total of 2,321 cats on display; June 1-July 26.
Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art; (03) 3403 0880; 1-10-10, Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Harajuku Station, JR Yamanote Line. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ¥1,000. Closed Mon. www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp.
