My Pet Horse- LE — 馬
by Kaoru Kawano
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
- Image courtesy of
- Japanese Art Open Database
Description
The kanji title (馬, uma) confirms the subject as a horse, and the 'My Pet Horse' titling suggests an intimate rather than heroic treatment — a familiar animal rather than a symbol of power or battle. This limited edition print represents an animal subject atypical of Kawano's primary figure-based output, though the sosaku-hanga tradition valued the exploration of diverse subject matter as evidence of the artist's personal vision. Kawano's expressive carving style would translate well to an equine form: the strong outline he applied to his bijin-ga figures adapts naturally to the muscular contours and flowing mane of a horse. The print may present the animal in close profile or three-quarter view, emphasizing the animal's physical presence at the expense of environmental context. Color would likely be limited — a few flat tones differentiating coat, mane, and ground — maintaining the graphic economy characteristic of his work. As a limited edition, each impression was individually signed, placing this modest domestic subject within the same fine-art framework as his more celebrated figure prints.
More Prints by Kaoru Kawano
More Animals Prints

Snake Charmers (Hebizukai)
Hebizukai
1932
Color woodblock print; oban

Hoshifuri Pine at Zen'yoji Temple in Edogawa (Edogawa-ku Zen'yoji Hoshifuri matsu), from the series "One Hundred Views of Great Tokyo in the Showa Era (Showa dai Tokyo fukei hyaku zue hanga)"
1935
Color woodblock print; oban

Drawing for Rabbit and Boy
1964
Acrylic paint and oil pastel with oiled charcoal and ink over an ink and graphite underdrawing on paper

Rabbit and Boy
1964
Color lithograph with relief block and hand coloring; edition 35/36
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Pet Horse- LE — 馬 was created by Kaoru Kawano (川野薫).
My Pet Horse- LE — 馬 depicts animals.



