a jolly dance

courtesy http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009615303/
no known restrictions on publication

Here's the painter and poet Ki Baitei (Japanese, 1734-1810) with an ink caricature of an actor/musician dancing, a cat friend joining in at his feet.  Ki Baitei had a gift for landscapes, flowers, birds and women, but also for funny, light-hearted vignettes such as this, and for haiku.  He studied with the Edo artist-poet Yosa Buson, which is why Baitei is also known as Omi Buson.  I love the way the cat is swinging its feet the same way our singing fellow swings his arms!