Feeling Warm 1888

"Feeling Warm" was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi in Japan in the late 19th century using woodblock print. The image is part of a series exploring the theme of "Thirty-two Aspects of Women," showing the changing roles and representations of women in Japanese society at the time. This print specifically captures a moment of intimacy and domesticity, featuring a woman reclining with a cat. The woman is likely from the merchant class as suggested by her clothing and the comfort of her surroundings. Yoshitoshi lived through a period of intense social and political change as Japan modernized and opened up to the West, and his art often reflects anxieties about cultural identity and social transformation. To fully understand "Feeling Warm," one might delve into the history of Japanese printmaking, explore the social status of women in Meiji-era Japan, and examine the cultural symbolism of cats. This work reflects an effort to elevate the status and visibility of women within a changing society.