Gold Coins to a Cat — Tee

Description

猫に小判. “Gold coins to a cat.” Something of real value handed to someone entirely incapable of recognising it.

The English equivalent — pearls before swine — arrives with a sermon attached. The Japanese version is calmer and much funnier: the cat is not ungrateful or wicked. The cat is simply a cat, and your gold means nothing here.

Ukiyo-e woodblock, in the lineage of Kuniyoshi’s cats: flat planes, confident contours, koban coins scattered with complete indifference.

For anyone who has presented good work to the wrong room.

Two versions, one page

Choose Artwork only for the illustration on its own, or With saying to get “猫に小判” drawn into the composition in its original language. Same garment either way — pick your version above.

The shirt

• Bella+Canvas 3001 · 100% airlume combed and ring-spun cotton · 4.2 oz/yd² (heather shades include a small amount of polyester)
• Unisex retail fit · side-seamed · pre-shrunk · tear-away label
• Sizes S–3XL · choose your colourway above

Printed on demand, shipped worldwide

Nothing is made until you order it. Your design is printed in the fulfilment centre closest to your address — usually within 2–5 business days — and then shipped. Flat-rate shipping: $7.95 in the US, $12.95 everywhere else. Shipping & returns.

More from the same place: browse the collection by country, or read 8 Japanese proverbs about failing well.