Takahashi Hiroaki (Shōtei) — Black Cat Hissing, 20th-Century Japanese Woodblock Tee
Our premium canvas: Comfort Colors 1717 in garment-dyed Ivory — 6.1 oz. 100% ring-spun cotton with a relaxed unisex fit and a soft, substantial feel. Printed to order in Ohio; usually ships in 1-2 business days. See size guide.
Takahashi Hiroaki (1871–1945), also known by his art name Shōtei, was a prolific Japanese printmaker active during the shin-hanga ("new prints") era, which revived and modernized the traditional woodblock techniques of ukiyo-e in the early twentieth century.
This print depicts a black cat crouched low in a defensive, arch-backed stance, mouth open wide to hiss and reveal a bright red interior and pale fangs. The cat wears a decorative collar with a blue-and-red patterned knot and a small golden bell. Its dark form is set against a mottled, softly textured beige ground with a purplish shadow beneath it, and the artist's red seals and signature appear along the right edge. A pencil inscription reading "By Hiroaki" is visible at the lower center.
The composition is a fine example of the shin-hanga fascination with animal subjects rendered with close naturalistic observation and refined color, showing the deep black of the cat's coat against a delicately patterned background.
Real art, not AI. An authentic work by a real artist — Takahashi Hiroaki (Shōtei), reproduced from the original — never machine-generated.
A print that lasts. Water-based pigment inks are pressed into the fabric — no plastic, no cracking, no peeling — so the design stays soft and breathes with the shirt.
Garment-dyed color. Dyed into the finished garment for a soft, vintage-washed tone with subtle depth — richer and more lived-in than a standard printed tee.
Printed on a premium Comfort Colors 1717 garment-dyed tee — heavyweight ringspun cotton with a soft, broken-in feel and a relaxed unisex fit. True to size; size down for a more fitted look.