Tōshōgū Shrine, the burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, is the most popular tourist attraction in Nikkō, Japan. It’s famous for its elaborate architecture, but also known for its carved details. One of the most notable carvings is the Nemuri-neko, or the Sleeping Cat, at the entrance to the okumiya (rear shrine). The carving is attributed to Hidari Jingorō, a legendary 17th-century artist who may or may not have been a real person. Although it is less than 8 inches in size, the Nemuri-neko has a…
