Tabby Cat
Takeuchi Seihō · 1924
Why it's great
A fluffy tabby cat looks out at us with bright green eyes, sitting calmly with its fur painted in very fine lines. Takeuchi Seihō was a master painter from Kyoto who loved animals. The picture became a cultural treasure of Japan. It is one of the most famous cat paintings in the world.
👀 Look closer!
Look at the cat's fur. The artist painted each tiny hair! What is the cat looking at?
Where to see it
📍 Yamatane Museum of ArtTokyo, Japan
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Takeuchi Seihō was born in Kyoto and became one of the leading painters of Japan in the early 1900s. He studied Western painting during trips to Europe and mixed it with Japanese styles. He is known for animals, such as his famous 'Tabby Cat'. He died in 1942.
