Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: “Books from Kanazawa Library” (Kanazawa Bunko) and “Foreign Cat of Shōmyōji Temple” (Shōmyōji no kara neko), from the series History of Kamakura (Kamakura shi) 1810 - 1816

This woodblock print, “Foreign Cat of Shōmyōji Temple”, is part of the series “History of Kamakura” by renowned Japanese artist Kubo Shunman, dating from 1810-1816. It features a charming depiction of a white and gray cat with a red ribbon perched on a closed book. The cat's expression is playful, and its tail swishes playfully, showcasing the artist’s keen eye for capturing animal movement. This captivating image is a delightful example of *ukiyo-e*, a style of Japanese art that captured the beauty and transience of everyday life. The print is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.