
Jewel Cat
by Motoi Oi
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Watanabe Print
- Image courtesy of
- Watanabe Print
Description
This print likely depicts a cat adorned with or surrounded by jewel-like decorative elements — gems, beads, or ornamental patterns — that give the image a richness distinct from Oi's more plainly observed animal subjects. The 'jewel' quality may be achieved through small, dense color areas printed with high saturation, creating points of visual intensity across the composition. The cat itself serves as the central form, with decorative elements distributed across its body or framing environment. Multiple color blocks would be required to achieve the variety of hues implied by the title. The combination of a naturalistic animal subject with decorative embellishment has precedent in Japanese lacquerware and textile design, where flora, fauna, and ornament are regularly combined.
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
Jewel Cat was created by Motoi Oi (大井基).
Jewel Cat depicts animals.



