Japanese Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth – Ukiyo-e by Utagawa Kuniyoshi “Fashionable Cats Playing Handball” (Hayarineko no Kyoku Temari)

Key Features

• Size: 18.9 × 18.9 in (48 × 48 cm).
• Authentic Ukiyo-e Motif: Based on Kuniyoshi’s print “Hayarineko no Kyoku Temari.”
• Cultural Heritage: Kuniyoshi, a master of the Utagawa school, is celebrated for his humorous and imaginative cat prints.
• Versatile Use: Traditionally used in Japan for wrapping and carrying items or for gift-giving. Also ideal as a decorative wall hanging or table cover.
• Made in Japan: Crafted with high-quality materials and cultural authenticity.

Product Description

This Japanese Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) features the ukiyo-e print “Hayarineko no Kyoku Temari” (Fashionable Cats Playing Handball) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), a leading master of the Utagawa school of ukiyo-e.

The term “Hayarineko” (“fashionable cats”) refers to stylish, trend-conscious cats that reflect the culture of Edo-period Japan. In this witty print, they are shown performing Kyoku Temari, an acrobatic handball act that was a popular form of street entertainment. The performance was famously associated with the entertainer Kikukawa Kunimaru, and Kuniyoshi cleverly reimagined it by anthropomorphizing cats. The result is a humorous and charming scene that combines traditional artistry with playful imagination.

Cultural Detail:

About Furoshiki

Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths, historically used to wrap clothing, goods, and gifts. Today, they are appreciated not only for their practicality but also for their beauty as eco-friendly, reusable fabric art. With their versatility, they can be enjoyed as functional cloths or as decorative interior accents.

About Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e are traditional Japanese woodblock prints that flourished during the Edo period (17th–19th centuries). As popular art for the common people, they depicted landscapes, kabuki actors, and everyday life. The Utagawa school was one of the most influential schools of ukiyo-e, and Utagawa Kuniyoshi was among its greatest masters, known especially for his humor, innovative designs and his famous affection for his cats. This Furoshiki lets you bring the artistry and playful spirit of Edo-period ukiyo-e into your modern lifestyle.