Catland: The Soft Power of Cat Culture in Japan

by Sarah Archer

An irresistibly cute and colorful celebration of Japan’s thriving cat culture
Before Hello Kitty rocketed to fame in the United States and around the world, she was a shoo-in for stardom in a country famous for its feline love affair: Japan. From cat cafes to “cat islands,” all of Japan’s furry friends take the spotlight in Catland. Picturesque city streets, shop windows, temples, and more are the stage for cats across the country. But Sarah Archer will also take readers behind the scenes of this phenomenon.


With charming storytelling, Catland explores both the past and present of Japan’s affinity for cats. Archer transports readers to modern workshops where the Japanese carefully craft traditionally woven cat beds, “beckoning cat” statues, and cat clothing. With adorable illustrations and photographs, this book is just as irresistibly cute as its subjects—the perfect gift for the cat lover in your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Japan, Animals, Photography, Cats, Asia, History

192 pages, Hardcover

Published August 11, 2020

Reviews

[Cheryl DeFranceschi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute! Perfect eating-lunch-at-my-desk reading and ALL the maneki nekos!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute photos of cats and a brief history of cat culture in Japan.

[Kosta Dalageorgas · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When tempted by such a wealth of fascinating things, either while traveling abroad or falling down a research rabbit hole, the best advice is probably just to go forth confidently as a cat would. Be curious, adapt, never skip a nap, hold your head high, and enjoy yourself. There will always be treats.”

A delightful exploration of cats and the prominent role they play in Japanese society. Not an academic or extremely detailed book, it has more images than text. Originally arriving in Japan via Chinese ships over 1000 years ago, they started to appear in Japanese art and literature not long afterwards. In addition, cats’ appearance in Buddhist folktales and the sense of kawaii (cute/cuteness) help to explain why cats are an important part of Japanese society.

Archer highlights the fact that there are cat cafes, artists who design clothes and furniture specifically for them, as well as temples and shrines which cats call home. As someone who has both a cat and a dog, I appreciate the effort that she put into discovering how and why Japan is a cat culture.

“Cats are like nature’s deep cover emissaries: they fit into our world well enough to coexist with us, but their episodic wildness reminds us that we live on a unique and fragile planet, and we are responsible for the creatures that need us—-wild, tame, and everyone in between.” 🐈

[April Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming look at Japan's cat culture. Cats are beloved everywhere, for their cuteness and independent natures, but Japan has taken this love a step further, with shrines, cafes, book shops, and even entire islands dedicated to them. This book covers the history and significance of the cat in Japanese culture, giving examples from literature, art, crafts, and more, highlighting the role of cats in Japanese life. Pages of photos add to the fun, showing cats in art, in costumes, on special furniture made just for cats, in shrines, in spas, being adorable as cats are wont to do. If you are a cat lover, if you're a Japanophile, and especially if you're both, you need this book!

[Shannon Green-Kingery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, quick and informative read about Japan's love affair with cats. It begins by discussing the historical significance of cats in Japanese art and literature and progresses to cats and cat imagery in modern Japanese pop culture-especially the maneki nekos (good luck cats) and the cat cafes found throughout the country. It showcases products both for cats themselves and for the humans that love them. There are lush photos throughout. If you like cats and/or Japanese culture, you will enjoy this lovely little book:)

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little book! Lots of cute pictures of cats but also lots of good information about the history and how cats have come to be so reveered. I love that some of the shrines and cafes look after the cats so well with spaying and vet care, even having them available for adoption.

I will have to visit Umenomiya Shrine in Kyoto and Jinbocho Nyankodo in Tokyo!

Adorable!

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute (or should I say kawaii), little look at the cultural impact of cats in Japan. I would read an entire series of these for every country if I had the chance. Where this book really shines though is the art. Gorgeous photography and art, both ancient and modern, are used throughout the book to illustrate the cat's permeating influence in Japan.

[Brook Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well worth the quick read.

It was very informative on how cats play such an important roll in Japanese life. There are a few jems of information here that I am sure will surprise any reader.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book for myself at the end of last year, because the content was exactly right for me - cats and Japan! Enjoyable, factual and kawaii, great for those interested in these topics of cats and Japan!
Side note - my cat Patrick kept going for my hand as I did this review 😊

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy breezy short read paired with many beautiful cat photos. The history parts were really interesting. In general I wanted more, But this was still very enjoyable.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super kawaii!
The photos are beautiful and the stories/history are just as wonderful.
A must for any cat lover.

[Maria Spalding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for cat lovers, and I've added a few places to my Japan visit itinerary!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute book but also informative about the cat culture in Japan. Makes me want to go to Japan even more. There’s so much there, it’s lovely how they’ve embraced cats for so long.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick, enjoyable read...i just wish it had been a bit more comprehensive

[pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

great blueprint if you want to explore anything neko in japan. sobbed at the acknowledgements haha

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picturebook of cats in Japan and their use in consumer culture. Interesting background is provided, but some pictures don't match up with the text.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great cat pics but I wanted more about Japanese cat culture since I'll never get to go there.

[Brian J · Rating 3 out of 5]

mini coffee table book
'interesting info about cat culture in Japan

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tad light on substance, the pictures and illustrations throughout are excellent.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cats are beloved around the world, but Japan has a special place for them in their history, art, and culture, holding cats in the highest regard. Adorned with beautiful photos and art, Catland explores how revered these felines have been throughout time, through stories, sculptures, paintings, and myths, all the way up to the present, with their depictions in pop culture and media today. Historian, feline fanatic, or both, this is a wonderful account of the glorious impact these creatures have made on our lives!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

completion note: This honestly gives me life. So cute.

★★★½☆ | 3.50 stars | RTC