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

Key Features

• Size: 33.5 × 47.2 in (85 × 120 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.
• Cutline Option: The curtain includes a center cutline that you may cut yourself; edges are finished to prevent fraying. It can be used as a traditional split Noren or left uncut as a wall tapestry.
• Versatile Use: Perfect as a doorway curtain, room divider, or decorative wall hanging.
• Made in Japan: Crafted with high-quality materials and cultural authenticity.

Product Description

This Japanese Noren curtain 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 Noren

Noren are traditional Japanese fabric dividers, usually split in the middle and hung in doorways of homes and shops. They provide privacy, allow airflow, and often carry decorative or symbolic designs. Today, they are enjoyed worldwide as interior accents and wall hangings.

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 Noren lets you bring a piece of Edo-period art and wit into your modern living space.

*This item doesn't include a tension rod.