Shirasuka Cat Monster – Utagawa Kunisada

Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugorō III appears transformed into a pale cat monster in this striking 1852 woodblock print by Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada. Large feline ears, an exaggerated mane, claw-like hands, and an uneasy expression create a figure that feels theatrical, supernatural, and strangely modern.

The print represents Shirasuka in Kunisada’s series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road. Rather than showing the station as a conventional landscape, Kunisada connects the location with the character Nekozuka and the visual world of kabuki theatre. The coastal setting remains visible behind the actor, while the richly patterned costume and unusual transformation dominate the composition.

Utagawa Kunisada, later known as Toyokuni III, was one of the most successful ukiyo-e artists of the nineteenth century. He was particularly celebrated for his portraits of kabuki actors, combining recognizable performers with elaborate costumes, dramatic expressions, and stories drawn from the popular theatre of Edo.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Utagawa Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III
• Product title: Shirasuka Cat Monster
• Original title: Shirasuka: Onoe Kikugorō III as a Cat Monster (Nekozuka)
• Series: Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road
• Series position: Shirasuka, sheet 30
• Date: 1852
• Period: Late Edo period
• Place of origin: Tokyo, Japan
• Medium: Color woodblock print
• Featured actor: Onoe Kikugorō III
• Publisher: Sumiyoshiya Masagorō
• Block carver: Koizumi Minokichi
• Original dimensions: Approximately 36.3 × 24.6 cm / 14.3 × 9.7 in
• Source collection: National Diet Library, Tokyo

Print & Frame Details

• Fine Art Printing: Printed using advanced 12-color fine art printing technology for rich, accurate colors and detailed tonal depth.
• Paper: Smooth, high-quality matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper Weight: 200 gsm / 80 lb.
• Frame Material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame Profile: Approximately 20 mm thick and 10–14 mm wide.
• Protection: Lightweight, shatterproof plexiglass protects the artwork.
• Available Sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different rooms and wall arrangements.
• Responsibly Sourced: Printed on FSC-certified paper and framed with responsibly sourced wood.
• Made to Order: Each piece is produced especially for your order, helping to reduce unnecessary stock and waste.
• Worldwide Shipping: Produced through our international network of trusted print studios and shipped worldwide.