Kenji Yanobe x Takara Standard: Limited Sale of 3rd Collaboration 《SHIP’S CAT》 Enamel Signs

Takara Standard launched the "Enamel x Art Project" in August 2022 with the aim of contributing to society through artist support and creating new value for "High-Quality Enamel". The company has been engaging in various initiatives with the goal of generating ideas and challenges that cannot be found internally through collaboration with artists, thereby expanding the possibilities of enamel more than ever before.

As part of this initiative, a mirror motif 《SHIP’S CAT (Mirror)》 based on Mr. Yanobe's representative work 《SHIP’S CAT》 was released in April 2024. In the fall of 2025, an enamel sign was co-produced to coincide with an event held in the art town of Kitakagaya (Suminoe Ward, Osaka City), and was exhibited inside Mr. Yanobe's work 《SHIP’S CAT SAUNA》 and around the city.

For this third installment, the enamel sign has been commercialized and will be sold as an art piece that can be enjoyed at home. Due to their strong durability, enamel signs were widely used for outdoor advertising from the Meiji era to the mid-Showa era. In the newly released 《SHIP’S CAT (HORO)》, Mr. Yanobe's retro-style 《SHIP’S CAT》 illustrations drawn using AI are expressed in high definition using unique enamel inkjet printing, and the rust on the edges that occurs in traditional enamel signs is reproduced via inkjet printing. By intentionally expressing rust, which rarely occurs with Takara Standard's high-quality enamel, a worldview matching the retro design has been realized.

The design images feature four types from the 《SHIP’S CAT》 series, which carries fortune while traveling, and became a hot topic for its dynamic and unique development: "BIG CAT BANG," "SHIP’S CAT (Speeder)," "LUCA THE LANDING," and "SHIP’S CAT SAUNA". An A2-size Edition version with Mr. Yanobe's handwritten signature and edition number, and an A6-size Miniature version are available. Both will be sold in limited quantities at exhibitions and art events where Mr. Yanobe will exhibit from April 2026 onwards.

While this work expands the new possibilities of enamel as an art material, enamel is highly resistant to scratches and dirt and does not deteriorate over the years, so it does not need to be put in a frame and can be enjoyed not only by looking but also by touching. (*)

(*) Please be careful not to touch the handwritten signature part of the Edition version, as it may come off if rubbed strongly.

Takara Standard will continue to strive to allow more people to enjoy a more comfortable life through various initiatives.

Reference Material

《SHIP’S CAT (HORO)》 Product Details

(1) Size

- Edition version W400mm x H600mm - Miniature version W100mm x H150mm

(2) Price

- Edition version 120,000 JPY (excluding tax) - Miniature version 8,000 JPY (excluding tax)

(3) Sales Quantity

- Edition version 15 pieces each - Miniature version 20 pieces each

(4) Design Image / Sales Location

① BIG CAT BANG - Sales Location: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, "We of the Room of Wonders, Disappear" Exhibition Special Shop * A ticket for this exhibition is required for entry. - Sales Period: April 25 (Sat) - July 20 (Mon/Holiday) * Closed: Mondays (except...)

② SHIP’S CAT (Speeder) - Sales Location: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, "We of the Room of Wonders, Disappear" Exhibition Special Shop * A ticket for this exhibition is required for entry. - Sales Period: April 25 (Sat) - July 20 (Mon/Holiday) * Closed: Mondays (However, open on April 27, May 4, and July 20)

③ LUCA THE LANDING - Sales Location: Hankyu Umeda Gallery (Hankyu Umeda Main Store 9F), "Kenji Yanobe Room of Wonders - Annex -" Special Venue - Sales Period: May 6 (Wed/Holiday) - May 11 (Mon)

④ SHIP’S CAT SAUNA - Sales Location: Osaka Takashimaya 6F POP UP "Osaka Art & Design 2026", Our company exhibition area - Sales Period: May 27 (Wed) - June 16 (Tue)

Comment from Mr. Kenji Yanobe When creating sculpture works and public art, I always think about what materials are durable and weather-resistant that will not change even after many years of being placed outdoors. Takara Standard's enamel is...