Kawanabe Kyôsai (1831-1889)
Cat and mouse.
A spotted cat is casually holding a freshly caught, wriggling mouse by the tail. The narrow crescent moon peers out from a hazy and cloudy night sky, illuminating the scene.
Signature: Seisei Kyôsai. Seal: Kyôsai
Date: first c. 1880, this edition c. 1920/30
Original Japanese colour woodblock print. Size: Vertical Ôban, 39 x 26 cm (overall)
Excellent crisp impression and colours, on strong paper. Full margins. Paper a little age-toned, a small corner nick bottom right, otherwise excellent condition. Verso a small stamp "Made in Japan".
The first - today very rare - edition of this print was published around 1870/80 by Sawamura Seikichi in Tokyo, who published many prints by Kyôsai (see e.g. Smithsonian, Muller Collection, S2003.8.493). This very lovely edition from the 1920s or 30s might have been published by Nishinomiya in Tokyo.
€ 450,-