Shinpan Neko no tenarai shishō

Published by Masadaya Heikichi (µö┐þö░Õ▒ïÕ╣│ÕÉë), this type of ukiyo-e print is referred to as ┼ìban nishiki-e (┼ìban refers to a print size about 24-25 x 32-37 cm, and nishiki-e refers to multi-colored woodblock print). This print belongs to a genre known as omocha-e (literally, ÔÇ£toy prints or picturesÔÇØ), primarily made to entertain children, but also used as a tool to educate them. These prints were mass produced, and often produced by an anonymous artist. Many omocha-e prints depict cats doing human activities, like this one.

Inscribed µû░þëêÒü¡ÒüôÒü«µëïÒü¬ÒéëÒüäÕ©½Õîá (Shinpan Neko no tenarai shish┼ì). µö┐ÕàÁ (Masahy┼ì) on the top. Neko means cats, and tenarai refers to writing practice or calligraphy. Shish┼ì means master. Shinpan means new impression or print.

Print titled "Cats take calligraphy lessons." Classroom scene with many cats, wearing human clothing, writing calligraphy with brushes and ink. Colours are blue, green, orange, yellow and red. Black Japanese characters appear in columns across the top of the image, and also within the image. There is also a row of characters along the top edge, outside the border.