
Cat
by Motoi Oi
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Watanabe Print
- Image courtesy of
- Watanabe Print
Description
This print presents a cat as its unqualified subject — a direct, genre-defining image in Oi's body of work. Without modifying title elements, the composition likely offers a straightforward portrait of a cat in a resting or alert pose. The mokuhanga process suits animal portraiture well: the baren's pressure on washi yields subtle tonal variation across fur, while carved lines describe the animal's whiskers, facial features, and body contour. Oi's palette would be selective, perhaps using two to four color blocks alongside a key block to establish form. The print's simplicity emphasizes the artist's comfort with the woodblock medium and his ability to render animal character with economy of means.
More Prints by Motoi Oi
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Cat was created by Motoi Oi (大井基).
Cat depicts animals.



