(Meiyo migi ni teki nashi Hidari Jingoro)

Color woodblock prints Oban (triptych) Each measures 15" x 10"

The famous Japanese woodblock print artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi is noted for his famous drawings depicting NEKO (cats). In this triptych, Kuniyoshi depicts the famous artist, designer, carver, sculpurer, carpenter, and architect - Hidari Jingoro.

Hidari means left and the artist was left-handed. Jingoro is shown surrounded by his carvings found throughout Japan including a tri-color calico neko (cat). Hidari Jingoro is most noted for his famous wood carving Nemurineko (sleeping cat) located at the sacred Shrines & Temples in Nikko, Japan.

His early 1600s work of art sculpture on nemurineko continues to influence many artists in Japan and throughout the world in depicting sleeping cats that are greatly appreciated and admired.

Based on the writing of Zempei Matsumura's book, "Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Jingoro Hidari" published by Nohi Publishing Co of Japan in 1975:

Jingoro Hidari was ambidextrous and able to write with either hand. Jingoro Hidari was skilled in Kendo, Japanese fencing, and was taught by the famous Kendo master Tatsumasa Yamazaki of the Tomita School. Jingoro Hidari was an apprentice to the Chief Architect, Hokyo Yoheiji Yusa, of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, and studied the building of temples and shrines and sculpturing at the Fushimi studio. Jingoro Hidari invented an automatic oil-refilling candlestick stand that was both decorative and functional and due to this creation Awarded the title Unique Person Under the Sun by the Emperor Gomizunoo of Japan. Jingoro Hidari created a new technique in detailed sculptured animals, particularly cats.