Details

Rendered with exquisite delicacy and affection, Pug on a Cushion is an exceptional example of Takahashi Shōtei’s mastery of line and nuance, created during the fertile pre-war period of the Shin-Hanga movement. The print portrays a pug—a breed recently imported from the West and novel to Japanese eyes—seated atop a finely patterned cushion. The contrast between the dog’s alert gaze and the soft halo of its long fur evokes both character and comfort. The swirling patterns in the tail and the delicate gradation of color across the cushion attest to the artisan’s and carver’s technical brilliance.

The composition is deceptively simple. There is little background; the entire focus is on the tactile immediacy of the dog and the rich surface of its resting place. The cushion’s design, featuring an indigo asanoha (hemp-leaf) motif, calls forth traditional Japanese textile patterns, grounding the image within domestic and cultural familiarity. The pug's red ruff adds a visual punctuation—a vivid flare in an otherwise cool and composed palette, and a subtle nod to both status and affection.

Connoisseur’s Note

This print is emblematic of the quiet elegance and emotional resonance characteristic of the Shin-Hanga movement. Takahashi Shotei—also known as Hiroaki—was deeply invested in bridging the classical Edo aesthetic with modern sensibilities. Though best known for his landscapes and atmospheric scenes, this tender vignette reveals another side of his oeuvre: one that finds beauty in stillness, domesticity, and quiet observation. The pug, at once foreign and adored, represents Japan’s evolving relationship with Western culture during the Taisho and early Showa eras.

Yet, far from a mere portrait of a pet, the work is imbued with sabi—the beauty found in things modest and unassuming. The serenity of the animal’s pose, paired with the graceful line work, suggests a reverence for life's gentle rhythms. As an object, this print would have been both a reflection of modernity and a reminder of the enduring charm of artisanal craft. For collectors, Pug on a Cushion is a rare instance where whimsy and mastery sit side by side, rendered timeless through Shotei’s hand.

This particular impression bears the round 6mm Watanabe seal, identifying it as an early postwar edition, printed shortly after World War II. The design was never produced in large quantities at any one time and was discontinued by 1950, making it a seldom-seen print in any edition.