BE@RBRICK Utagawa Kuniyoshi “Fashionable Cats Juggling Balls” (100%+400%)

Description

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) is considered one of the most brilliant masters of Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock printing and was known for his dynamic warrior depictions, his humorous caricatures, and, above all, his legendary passion for cats. Contemporaries report that he always kept several cats in his studio and even let them sit on his lap while he was painting. This deep connection resulted in a whole series of prints in which cats appear anthropomorphized – wearing kimonos, doing handicrafts, or enjoying social games. The work “Myōjutsu Tedama no Asobi” (流行猫の曲手まり), known in English as “Fashionable Cats Juggling Balls,” is one of the most charming examples of this series and dates from the late Edo period. Medicom Toy has now immortalized this iconic motif as a Bearbrick, thus bridging traditional Japanese art and contemporary designer vinyl culture.

The design of this Bearbrick is a true visual experience. The entire body of both figures is covered from head to toe with the original woodblock print motif. On a warm, parchment-like background in soft beige, numerous cats in colorful kimonos – in traditional red, blue, pink, and brown tones – frolic about. The cats are depicted in various poses: some skillfully juggle white balls, others sit concentrated on the ground or stand in elegant postures. Their faces show Kuniyoshi’s typical blend of animal physiognomy and human expression. Particularly charming is how the flat Ukiyo-e motif seamlessly extends over the three-dimensional bear shape – arms, legs, head, and ears become a canvas for the playful cats. On the back of the 400% model, the Japanese characters with Kuniyoshi’s artist’s signature are clearly visible, which gives the piece additional authenticity. The print looks like an aged original with fine, warm color nuances that give the Bearbrick a museum-like quality.

The set includes two figures: the 100% Bearbrick with a height of approx. 7 cm and the 400% Bearbrick with a height of approx. 28 cm. Both feature the same continuous all-over print design, with the larger figure naturally revealing significantly more details of the individual cat scenes. For collectors of Japanese art and Ukiyo-e enthusiasts, this model is a special highlight, as it translates one of Kuniyoshi’s most popular works into a completely new form. In the growing series of art historical Bearbrick editions – from Hokusai to Van Gogh to Warhol – this piece occupies a unique niche by celebrating the humorous, cat-obsessed side of Japanese woodblock art.

Whether as the centerpiece of a Bearbrick collection, a gift for cat lovers with a sense of art, or an extraordinary decorative object that is guaranteed to spark conversation – this Bearbrick combines Japanese cultural history, humor, and collector’s value in a unique figure. The combination of Kuniyoshi’s over 170-year-old masterpiece with the iconic Bearbrick design makes this set a timeless collector’s item that should not be missing from any curated collection.