Hollywood Glamour
Kathleen Blatz Estate Find

Old Japanese Sleeping Cat



This attractive Meiji period Japanese old ceramic sleeping cat is inspired by the small wooden sculpture at the entrance of Toshougu shrine in Nikko, Japan, by the acclaimed sculpture artist and architect Hidari Jingoro. The wooden sculpture is recognized as a national treasure. It is called nemuri neko , meaning sleeping cat or peaceful cat, representing a kind of peace that allows a cat to have an ease of mind to sleep with its guards off. This sleeping cat is in creamy white with heavy crazing in a Raku effect. 

Artist signed by impressed signet on an unglazed white ceramic base. Traces of white glaze were applied to opposing ends of the double banded oval signet mark. Attributed to the Meiji period (late 1800s). The sleeping cat is in excellent condition and measures 8 5/8" in length, 6 3/4" in width and 3" in height. 

Kathleen Blatz was born in California in 1925. She attended UC Berkeley and later settled in Hollywood to pursue her career, during which time she wowrked for MGM Studios, American Broadcasting and Samuel Goldwyn Studios. Kathleen Blatz appeared in both film and print and was a screenplay writer for Dragnet, Lock Up, Everglades, Bonanza and other popular shows. Upon her retirement in the 1990s, she surrounded herself with her own artistic endeavors and her extensive art collection of California artists and memorabilia of her many Hollywood friends and achievements.