Cat and Mouse, first half 18th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paperexpand_more
Gift of Harriet and Edson Spencerexpand_more 99.59.7
Not on Viewexpand_more
The Japanese have long delighted in the idea of animals parodying human actions. In this painting, the cat daintily offers a hot pepper with his chopsticks, knowing that it will make the foolish mouse gulp his sake. Oblivious of danger, the mouse tips the red and black cup to his lips. In the foreground stands a double gourd, used to decant the strong rice wine that is the cause of the mouse's reckless abandon and, ultimately, the cat's good fortune. The inscriptions reinforce the moralistic theme of the work: disaster awaits those who forget themselves and drink too much:
More than just deceived, [the mouse]
gleefully dances, and then is caught
The mind that does not heed danger
causes the body to be caught
Unwittingly befriended by the cat
who plies him with sake
the mouse drinks, slurp, slurp
Those who imitate the sages' teachings
will eventually ruin others' lives.
Details
- Title
- Cat and Mouse
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 99.59.7
- Curator Approved
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