Never Seen Before: True Picture of a Live Wild Tiger (Konjaku miken, Ikimono mōko no shinzu) 1860

"Never Seen Before: True Picture of a Live Wild Tiger" is an 1860 woodblock print by the renowned Japanese artist Kawanabe Kyōsai (1831-1889). This work, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Kyōsai's signature blend of humor and detail. The print depicts a tiger, snarling and crouched over the remains of a rooster, while another rooster perches atop a nearby fence. The dynamic composition and expressive details highlight Kyōsai’s masterful use of the woodblock medium, capturing both the ferocity of the tiger and the humor of the situation. This image is a prime example of the "gajū" genre, which focused on depictions of animals and nature.