Perfectly-Timed Photos Transform Ordinary Felines into Agile Ninja Cats

Ninja Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

There are many types of animal photography, from heartfelt pet portraits to amazing shots of wild animals. Japanese photographer Hisakata Hiroyuki takes a conceptually lighter approach to his creature images; he reveals the delightful world of ninja cats—otherwise ordinary felines captured in the midst of action that look like they’re performing martial arts.

Hiroyuki’s portraits demonstrate the impressive agility of young cats. Using a feather toy and high-speed photography techniques, he shows how each creature bends and twists with ease, and many of the cats have incredible verticals and leap far into the air. Their exaggerated poses also make convincing sparring photos. With the cat toy removed from the scene, the kitties look like they are trying to defeat one another with their best roundhouse kick or strike. The result showcases the gracefulness of our furry friends as well as the importance of timing—if Hiroyuki had hit the shutter just a second later, a photograph would look totally different.

Hiroyuki has produced two books on his ninja cats. They are now available on Amazon.

Hisakata Hiroyuki photographs energetic felines at just the right moment.

Pet Photography by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Ninja Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Action Shots Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Pet Photography by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Using a toy and high-speed photography, his images transform ordinary kitties into agile ninja cats.

Pet Photography by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Ninja Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Action Shots Cats

Action Shots Cats

Action Shots Cats

Action Shots Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Ninja Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Ninja Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Ninja Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Ninja Cats by Hisakata Hiroyuki

Hisakata Hiroyuki: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter 

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Hisakata Hiroyuki.

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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