Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan Paperback – November 7, 2017

In the years since feudal Japan was opened to the rest of the world in 1868, major changes have occurred in Western research regarding the history, language, and religion of this infinitely fascinating country. Early books identified the general outlines of Japanese culture, but with every few decades since then the focus of individual studies has narrowed and the expertise of the authors deepened. Characteristic of this trend in the 21st century is the well-regarded work of Zach Davisson, author of both "Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan" and a broader survey of Japanese ghosts. "Kaibyo" is beautifully illustrated and a treat as well for the mind, especially regarding the intriguing concept of "shape shifting." This phenomenon, grounded in Chinese tradition, holds that selected animals like the fox and the cat and even some non-animate objects like tea kettles, can transform into alternative states that include the human form. The art depicted in "Kaibyo" honors in particular pre-modern woodblock prints that depicted cats and helps feed the current Western obsession with Japanese folklore as reflected in graphic art, theater, anime, and manga.

If you like cats and are curious about Japanese culture, this is a perfect book for you.The one I received is the second edition of this book. The paper is good quality. It has a dust jacket, and the binding appears to be stitched. Sorta reminds me of a bunko book, but a lot bigger. There's also a four-page art foldout in the back.There's a lot of really good information, lots of artwork. I'm very pleased with this book.

The first (mostly) prose book that I have finished in 2018, Zack Davisson's Kaibyo serves as a nearly perfect little primer on the history, mystery, and many variations of cat-related folklore in Japan. While Davisson's extensive knowledge of the topic provides welcome context at every turn, the book never becomes too bogged down in scholarship, walking an enviable tightrope of readable and informative. Accompanied by a wide array of illustrations pulled from various historical sources, and interspersed with translated tales and historical accounts of the supernatural felines in question, Kaibyo is a perfect introduction to the subject, or a great gift for the devotee of either cats or Japanese folklore (or both).

very fine

... But how would you know unless you read about what they are? A beautifully designed book, vivid art reproduction, and it's clear that the author has done a lot of research in addition to being a cat lover. If you enjoy reading about folklore and fairy tales, this book won't disappoint. Each chapter discusses the origin of different kaibyo and then shares a folk tale or story as an example.

This is a delightful book that I just finished reading (unfortunately, a week after qualifying to return/exchange for another copy with hopes I just ended up with a one-off).I used a bookmark while reading.Content is excellent - quality of the binding I received very poor. Hence 4 Stars vs. 5.

According to author Davisson, cats have been in Japan since at least 889 A.D., and legends about supernatural cats go back to at least medieval times. They appeared frequently in folklore, literature, drama, and art in the Edo period (1603-1868) and have continued to be popular ever since. Magical cats, a type of yokai (ghost or spirit being), range from huge, man-eating monsters (yamaneko) to feline prostitutes (bakeneko yujo) and friendly little creatures who stoke up house fires to keep themselves warm and wear trivets on their heads (gotoku neko)… not to mention the ever-popular maneki neko, the “inviting cat” waving a paw to bring in prosperity and good luck. Collectively, they’re known a kaibyo, or “strange cats”—and boy, are they ever!Davisson’s book is about 2/3 text, divided more or less equally between brief retellings of specific legends and descriptions of different types of supernatural cats—when stories about them first appeared, their role in the arts, etc. The remaining third consists of pictures of supernatural cats from Japanese art, all in color. The book is small, as art books go—about the size of a standard trade paperback—but the art still comes across well because most of the pictures are closeups of the animals, not panoramic views. My only criticism of the format is that most of the captions are in tiny black print against a dark red background, a combination that rendered them almost unreadable.If you (or someone you want to buy a lovely present for) like cats, folklore, art, or some combination thereof, get this charming little book Yesterday!!

Wonderful book! Well researched with fascinating and beautiful period illustrations.