Newberry Library - What is the cat trying to do? (Neko ha nani o shitsutsu aru ka)

Title What is the cat trying to do? (Neko ha nani o shitsutsu aru ka)

Publisher Kokkei shinbun sha

Date Created 1907

Subjects Cats

Summary From a collection of art postcards, many in the ukiyo-e style, published by Kokkei shinbun sha, all of which were likely published in Ehagaki sekai, a supplement to the Japanese satirical magazine Kokkei shinbun. Subjects range from elegant landscapes and fashionable young women to vulgar or subversive images, some with erotic undertones. In keeping with the content of Kokkei shinbun, many of the postcards are humorous or satirical. Most include a caption and small design in the upper right corner of the verso where the stamp would be placed. The image, caption, and design on the verso are meant to be read together in order to understand fully the meaning of the postcard.

Biographical/Historical Note Kokkei shinbun (meaning "Humor newspaper" in English) was a monthly satirical magazine founded by journalist Miyatake Gaikotsu in January 1901 in Tokyo. In May 1907, Miyatake began to publish Ehagaki sekai ("World of picture postcards") under the publisher name Kokkei shinbun sha as a supplement to Kokkei shinbun. Each of the 26 issues of Ehagaki sekai contained 30 color postcards illustrated by Komeno Hakusui, Bokuchitei KuronboÌ„, Ima IkkyuÌ„, Takasago DayuÌ„, Takehisa Yumeji, and others, printed on a single uncut sheet folded to include 4 cards per page, with 2 cards on the cover. Under pressure from the Japanese government, Miyatake ceased publication of both Kokkei shinbun and Ehagaki sekai in June 1909. See Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Art of the Japanese postcard, pages 199-211.

Extent 466 prints : color ; sheets 11 x 15 cm or smaller (postcard format)

Format Caricatures and cartoons, Pictorial works, Postcards

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

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Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Case NC1877.K65 C65 1907

BibID 969208

IIIF Resource Type Manifest

IIIF Resource ID https://collections.newberry.org/IIIF3/Presentation/Manifest/2KXJ8Z446DG9

Original File Name case_nc1877_k65_c65_1907 _000376_01

Unique identifier NL1145J1