Cat and Mouse c. 1780

Isoda Koryūsai created this woodblock print called ‘Cat and Mouse.’ Here, two women are depicted in a domestic scene, one holding a cat, the other a mouse. These figures, symbols of predator and prey, speak volumes. Consider the cat: it represents domestication but also untamed instinct. We might recall images of the Egyptian goddess Bastet, often depicted as a cat, embodying both the nurturing aspect of a household deity and the fierce protector. The mouse held so delicately, in contrast, represents vulnerability. Yet it has also symbolized stealth and resourcefulness in other cultural narratives. The dynamic between the two figures also evokes a deeper emotional tension. One wonders about the psychological undercurrents in this simple scene. Could it be a commentary on societal hierarchies, or the games of power and submission that permeate human interactions? This image, like so many others across time, resurfaces these archetypal themes, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols and the stories they tell.