Two of Japan's biggest obsessions: cats and sushi! For centuries, Japanese artists have drawn cats in every way imaginable, and this my contribution to that tradition.

So belly up to the bar and order a pawful of your favorite fish. But remember, caughing hairballs is bad table manners!

The main title cartouche reads: 寿司にゃあんこ (sushi nyanko)   'Nyan' is Japanese for 'meow', and a 'nyanko' means 'kitty'.

The white cartouche reads: 満月の夜はとろ半額で満腹！！  Which means: On Full moons, get a full tummy with half-price toro!" (Toro is the belly cut of tuna. It's expensive and delicious.)

The green cartouche is full of puns: きゃ通にはたまらん四ッ足のにゃ青木屋の手巻シッポ    The basic meaning is: 'The temaki sushi at Four-Leg Naoki's is irresistable to cats.'  But when you look at the hidden puns, this title is thick with humor.

きゃ通 (kyatsu): This reads as 'kyatsu' which sounds like 'cats' in English. As a pun, it contains the kanji 通, (tsuu) which means 'a connoisseur'. So the word 'cats' actually means 'connoisseur cats', or 'cats with good taste'.

四ッ足 :  This reads as 'yotsu-ashi', which means 'four-legged'. As a pun, it sounds a lot like 'Yotsu-bashi', an area in Osaka famous for its excellent dining.

にゃ青木 : (nyaoki)  'Naoki' is a common Japanese man's name. 'Nyao' is another word for 'meow'.  When you combine the two, you get a very appropriate cat's name: Nyaoki.

手巻シッポ: (temaki shippo)  'Te-maki' is a kind of sushi. 'Maki-shippo' means 'curly tail', referring to the short, bobtail genetic feature that is prominent in many Japanese cats. So when you combine the two, you get 'temaki shippo'.

NOTE - You can choose between two paper types for your print:

1) Handmade Japanese Paper: Created by the Kikuchi Studio in Ehime Japan, this paper features a lovely mulberry texture and rough deckled edges. The overall effect makes our giclée prints look like real historical Japanese prints. I'm very proud of these!

2) Western Paper: This is a high quality 80 lb cover paper, similar to hot press watercolor paper. My art prints look stunning on its smooth, matte finish. This is the paper I usually bring to conventions, so if you have purchased art from me at a live event, you probably have this paper style.

Every print is signed by the artist.
Measures 12x17 inches.

This print looks great in three standard 16 x 20 frames (US, Canada) or 40 x 50 cm (everywhere else).