The Glancing-Back Cat Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

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This work conveys the stillness of winter while capturing the gentle charm of a cat. Within a snow-covered, hushed landscape, a single cat pauses mid-step and turns back toward the viewer. The ground lies blanketed in white, and a line of trees recedes into the distance. Set against this crisp, clear winter scene, the cat’s bright, attentive gaze stands out with striking clarity. That glance meets the viewer in silence, leaving a lingering sense of narrative that invites quiet reflection and imagination. The background is rendered with restrained ink gradations, allowing the hush of falling snow and the coolness of the winter air to emerge softly through the open space. Near the cat’s feet, a few bamboo leaves and small red berries are carefully placed. Their presence introduces a subtle warmth of color, gently enlivening a landscape that might otherwise remain entirely white, and bringing a poised balance to the composition. The artist, Nishimura Kingyo, graduated in 1987 from Kyoto City University of Arts, where he specialized in nihonga (traditional Japanese painting). Based in Kyoto, he has presented work in a range of solo and group exhibitions. Show more