Land of the rising cat : Japan's feline fascination

For hundreds of years, Japan has been crazy about cats. Millions of Japanese people own felines, and it’s not unusual to find cats lounging in coffee shops, hotel lobbies and museums, being taken for strollier rides, or even serving as train stationmasters. But how did this phenomenon start and why does it continue to grow? Land of the Rising Cat highlights Japan’s feline-themed shrines, temples and tourist destinations, looks at cat-centric festivals, woodblock prints and mascots, and includes interviews with fashion designers, visual artists and artisans. From ubiquitous waving manekinego figurines to anime and manga to islands where kittens outnumber people, every aspect of Japan’s ongoing love affair with cats purrs to life in this book.