'Ramen Cats' Woodblock Print

We've finally finished our set of three Cats prints!  'Ramen Cats' was designed in 2018, but it took us until 2023 to finally make a woodblock print version. (Thank you for your patience!) 

This print features gorgeous, deep reds that seem to glow from the lanterns. We also added gold metallic effects in the lady cat's kimono!  

 

This print is full of Japanese cat puns. The smaller cartouche reads:

ねこじたも大好物のらーみゃん屋
列のながなが尾もふるッふる
ねこじたも (neko-jita) literally means 'cat tongue' in Japanese. It's an idiom that means "someone who can't eat hot food". The imagery of a cat timidly lapping with its tongue is a fun metaphor for a person who can't commit to a hot bowl of soup! Westerners are sometimes referred to as neko-jita, because they are often surprised by how hot the Japanese like their food. 

This design requires many individual impressions to achieve a full range of color. David uses the finest quality of yamazakura (mountain cherry) to carve his printing blocks. The wood is capable of holding a very fine level of delicacy – every last detail is printed by the wood left standing, after the rest has been cut away.

The paper is handmade Echizen Hosho Washi, made by national living treasure, Iwano Ichibei IX. This is the exact same paper printers used over 200 years ago! You can see a video of Mr. Iwano at work here.

This print is in the traditional koban format – 7 x 9 inches (17.5 x 23 cm).  It looks great in an 11x14 frame, which is a standard factory size. Just get a custom mat cut (much cheaper than a custom frame) and it will look great.  

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