A young woman from Kansei period playing with her cat 1888

This woodblock print, made by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, depicts a young woman from the Kansei period playing with her cat. The cat, often seen as a symbol of domesticity and charm, is here depicted with an intriguing gaze. The cat motif carries a rich, cross-cultural history. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered, even deified. But in medieval Europe, they were often associated with witchcraft and ill fortune. Here, in 19th-century Japan, the cat seems to reclaim some of its earlier mystique, a familiar yet enigmatic presence. Observe how the woman gently interacts with it, their faces close, sharing a silent, intimate moment. This image stirs something deep within us, doesn't it? Perhaps it evokes the primal connection between humans and animals, a bond that transcends language. It is an echo of ancient beliefs, resurfacing in a modern context, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols and their enduring power to move us.