Cats and other animals-actually, all of the natural world-were honored in Asian culture and art. The cats depicted below are high on personality and humor, and seem like modern designs, even though some were created many years, or even centuries ago.

Hope you enjoy the gallery.

This cat portrait, circa 1494, was found among the studies of the Chinese painter Shên Chou. Chou was considered one of the first great master painters of the Ming dynasty.

Japanese artist Kuniyoshi Kitagawa called this wood cut, "Cat and Goldfish." It is part of series entitled "Goldfish Story," and was executed in the 19th century.

This wood block print, circa 1858, is by Japanese master Horshige Utagawa, and was called simply, "Cat In A Window." The Japanese believed that bobtailed cats like the one depicted brought their owners good luck.

This fat and happy cat, depicted in a watercolor circa 1850 by an unknown Japanese artist, seems oblivious to the world around him, and is most probably purring.

This silk painting, done with ink and other pigments applied to a silk support, is by Toko, a 19th century Japanese master. It shows a small cat displaying the well-know trait of curiosity.