Seated Cat

This print focuses on the composed, upright posture of a cat at rest, a pose that allows Inagaki to explore the geometric potential of the feline form. Seated, the cat resolves into a near-symmetrical mass: rounded haunches, a vertical torso, and a head that reads almost as a separate oval placed atop the body. Inagaki's carving emphasizes the clean outer contour while internal details—ear placement, the subtle angle of the face—establish character without resorting to fine line work. The stark relationship between printed ink and bare [washi](/glossary/washi) gives the image its graphic impact. This type of frontal or near-frontal animal study was central to Inagaki's practice, reflecting his interest in form as an object of contemplation rather than narrative illustration.