Kyosai’s Animal Treasury

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 monkeys, insects, and various other creatures, he parlayed his sharp eye and ready wit into images combining fidelity to the animals’ true essence 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.