Animals & Monsters: Cute, Scary, and a Little Weird

Various animals and monsters appear in ukiyo-e. From cats and dogs depicted as beloved pets to weird, terrifying demons and giant earth spiders, their portrayals are incredibly diverse. You will find anthropomorphized animals and even humorous, strangely shaped characters.

This exhibition showcases 140 works, ranging from popular pieces known for their charm and humor to newly acquired works shown for the first time (full rotation between terms). Explore the fascinating world of ukiyo-e through three keywords: “Cute,” “Scary,” and “A little weird.”

Highlight 1: Adorable Animals and Monsters

The world of ukiyo-e is filled with charming animals and monsters (yōkai). There are beloved cats and dogs, and even foxes and elephants that move with comical, human-like expressions.

Not all monsters are spine-chilling; some are surprisingly cute, like the Nekomata (mythical two-tailed monster cat), often depicted dancing with a hand towel on its head. Come and see an all-star lineup of popular animals and monsters!

Highlight 2: Anthropomorphized “Mimic” Animals

In ukiyo-e, animals like cats, rabbits, and octopuses—and even plants like Chinese lanterns and pumpkins—are transformed into lively, human-like figures. Cats are especially popular, often depicted relaxing at soba shop and eel eateries, and public baths. This exhibition features a full lineup of anthropomorphized characters from the Ota Memorial Museum of Art collection.

Highlight 3: “A little weird” Characters: What on Earth is this?

Ukiyo-e features more than just well-known animals and monsters. You’ll encounter a bizarre array of mysterious characters: the “Torako-ishi” (a mythical creature with a stone body and a tiger’s legs and tail), fish with human faces, and a single creature merging all twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac. Even abstract concepts like diseases, medicines, and money are transformed into human forms. This collection is full of the rich imagination of ukiyo-e artists.

Highlight 4: Nearly One-Fifth of the Exhibition on Display for the First

The Ota Memorial Museum of Art has hosted several exhibitions focused on animals and monsters in the past. This time, alongside our most popular masterpieces, we are showcasing a large number of works for the very first time. In fact, 27 out of the 140 pieces on display—nearly one-fifth of the entire exhibition—are new acquisitions. Even if you have seen our previous shows, there is plenty of new material for you to enjoy!

Admission

Adult	1200 yen
University and High school students	800 yen
Junior High School Students and below (under 15 years old)	Free

＊Student ID required for junior high school students and above.
＊¥100 discount with a disability ID (Valid for the holder and 1 caregiver).
＊We accept cash only. No credit cards or mobile payments.

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