青幻舎 SEIGENSHA Art Publishing

From human figures and erotica to deities and monsters, Kawanabe Kyosai (1831–1889) excelled at painting anything and everything living under the sun—but he was arguably at his very best when depicting animals. A cat lover who also kept a monkey, insects, and various other creatures, he parlayed his sharp eye and ready wit into images combining fidelity to the true essence of animals with cutting social satire. More lifelike, even, than their real-life models, his creatures romp over the page, drawing all into their world.

This volume—a companion to the Kyosai’s World exhibition opening April 22, 2026, at the Suntory Museum of Art and touring locations across Japan—presents 150 animal-themed works owned by world-leading Kyosai collector Israel Goldman. Seven chapters discuss Kyosai’s association with and rendering of animals, exploring the appeal of an aspect of his art that has largely remained unknown to Japanese audiences until now.

Table of contents
Chapter 1. Kyosai’s Alter-Egos: Frogs and Toads
Chapter 2. The Artist’s Companions: Cats
Chapter 3. Signature Bird: Crows
Chapter 4. Familiar Neighbours
Chapter 5. Auspicious Animals
Chapter 6. Tricksters: Foxes and Tanuki
Chapter 7. Exotic Creatures

The Israel Goldman Collection is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive private collections devoted to the works of Kawanabe Kyosai (1831–1889). It has featured in exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts in London (2022) and numerous museums throughout Japan. Israel Goldman is a leading dealer of Japanese ukiyo-e prints who has lived and worked in London since graduating from Harvard University in 1981; Sadamura Koto is the collection’s curator.