From Hello Kitty to Maneki Neko - Japan is the epicentre of global cat culture
Whether lurking in corners or taking center stage, cats are a ubiquitous presence in Japanese art. Depending on the situation, they may invite good fortune, prompt the viewer to meditate on a tale or provide evidence of an unseen world of magic and supernatural happenings.
In 200 charming woodblock prints, paintings, screens and figurines spanning three centuries, Japanese art expert Rhiannon Paget celebrates the rich symbolism and surprising stories surrounding the feline image in Japan. Her book contains essays on the following fascinating topics:
- Domestic Companion or Household God? Artists represent the great affection and sense of pride which bonds cat owners to their pets
- The Feline Muse: The feline figure as an ideal subject for artists to explore in fluid lines and organic forms, their glossy fur and markings lending themselves to the interplay of textures and materials
- Lucky Cats: Cats as auspicious creatures in Japanese culture, symbolizing health, longevity and prosperity
- Mischief and Mayhem: Japan's rich mythology and visual record of cats as witches and feline monsters
- Philosophers' Cats, Teachers' Pets and Moggies with Messages: The feline image deployed to illustrate historical, philosophical and religious ideas, and as conveyors of folk wisdom
- Plus much more
This delightful book will appeal to anyone interested in Japanese art and Japanese culture, plus every cat lover!
ISBN 9784805317334
Rhiannon Paget | Tuttle | October 17, 2023 | Hardcover | 192 pages | 17.7 x 15.2 x 2.54 cm | 580g
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