The Tiger of Ryokoku by Utagawa Hirokage

A charming and funny gem of Japanese woodblock art, 'The Tiger of Ryokoku' is by Utagawa Hirokage, a nineteenth-century ukiyo-e artist known for his comical, good-natured scenes of everyday Edo life. The print pokes gentle fun at the sideshow attractions of Ryogoku - the bustling entertainment district by the great bridge over the Sumida River - where crowds once gathered to gawp at exotic curiosities. Here a splendidly striped tiger becomes the star of the show, rendered with all the humour and warmth that made Hirokage's prints so beloved.

Hirokage was a pupil of the great Utagawa Hiroshige, and worked in the mid-1800s, most famously on a series of 'Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo.' Where other artists showed the city's landmarks in stately dignity, Hirokage delighted in the everyday chaos and comedy of ordinary people - and in curiosities like this striped big cat, a genuine crowd-pleaser in a Japan that had had little contact with the outside world. His work is prized today for exactly that mix of fine ukiyo-e craftsmanship and irresistible good humour.

Part of the appeal is how alive and characterful the tiger is, drawn with bold outlines, lively colour and real personality. It is at once an authentic piece of Edo-period art and a genuinely funny, endearing image - the kind of print that makes people smile.

As wall art it is full of charm. The warm palette and playful subject make it a natural for a kitchen, study, nursery or reading nook, and it suits Japandi, whimsical, eclectic and cottagecore interiors alike. It is a wonderful, cheerful gift for tiger and cat lovers, lovers of Japanese art, and anyone who enjoys a touch of humour on the wall, and it pairs beautifully with other ukiyo-e and whimsical animal prints.

Because the original dates to the nineteenth century, it is firmly in the public domain, which is why we can reproduce it at full museum quality.

Each print is produced on premium 189 gsm museum-grade archival matte paper, faithfully capturing the bold line work, warm colour and soft antique paper of the original woodblock - ready to frame and enjoy for years to come.