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Photo by Richard P. Goodbody

Here’s a great reason to take a trip to New York City this summer! The Japan Society is running a special exhibit called Life of Cats: Selections from the Hiraki Ukiyo-e Collection through early June and it looks like a spectacular event.

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This exhibit features 90 Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints from the Edo Period (1615-1867) along with paintings, sculptures and other works all exploring Japan’s love affair with cats. The ukiyo-e prints in the exhibition are on loan from the esteemed Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation and the additional works are borrowed from U.S. collections.

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Photo by Richard P. Goodbody

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The exhibition is divided into five sections: Cats and People, Cats as People, Cats versus People, Cats Transformed and Cats and Play.

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Photo by Richard P. Goodbody

Over 120 pieces of artwork and will be presented in two rotations with about 50 pieces changing between the two rotations. Rotation 1 is on display now through April 26 and rotation 2 will run from April 29 through June 7. If you have a chance to see both rotations it sounds like it will be well worth a return visit.

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Photo by Richard P. Goodbody

The Japan Society will be working with the ASPCA in conjunction with the exhibit. They will hold an adoption drive on May 3 as part of Family Day, plus a portion of the sales from the exhibit catalog will be donated to the ASPCA. The catalog is available for purchase form the Japan Society online shop for $20.

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Visit the Japan Society website for more details about admission and exhibit hours. I wish I could make it to see this!

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Photo by Richard P. Goodbody

Please make sure to watch this wonderful video narrated by Cory Campbell, Officer of Gallery Operations at Japan Society, introducing the exhibit.