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Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan
An in-depth exploration of the sometimes charming, sometimes gruesome feline creatures and ghosts of Japan. Davisson illuminates the vast realm of kaibyō, or supernatural cats, with historical and modern cultural context. Lushly illustrated in full color with dozens of ukiyo-e prints and drawings. A must-have book for the Japanophile and cat-lover alike!
149 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2017
41 people are currently reading
1768 people want to read
About the author
Zack Davisson
68 books100 followersZack Davisson is an award-winning translator, writer, and folklorist. He is the author of YUREI: THE JAPANESE GHOST, YOKAI STORIES, and KAIBYO: THE SUPERNATURAL CATS OF JAPAN, and the translator and curator of Shigeru Mizuki’s famous folklore comic KITARO, Matsumoto Leiji’s CAPTAIN HARLOCK, and Go Nagai’s DEVILMAN.
Davisson lectured on translation, manga, and folklore at Duke University, UCLA, University of Washington, Denison University, as well as contributed to exhibitions at the Wereldmuseum Rotterdam and Henry Art Museum. He has been featured on NPR, BBC, and The New York Times, and has written articles for Metropolis, The Comics Journal, and Weird Tales Magazine.
As a manga translator, Davisson was nominated for the 2014 Japanese-US Friendship Commission Translation Prize for his translation of the multiple Eisner Award-winning SHOWA: A HISTORY OF JAPAN. Other acclaimed translations include Satoshi Kon’s OPUS and THE ART OF SATOSHI KON, Mamoru Oshii’s SERAPHIM: 266613336 WINGS, Leiji Matsumoto’s QUEEN EMERALDAS, Kazuhiro Fujita’s THE GHOST AND THE LADY, Go Nagai’s CUTIE HONEY, and Gou Tanabe’s Eisner Award-nominated HP LOVECRAFT’S THE HOUND AND OTHER TALES.
He lives in Seattle, WA with his wife Miyuki, a dog, two cats, and several ghosts.
Davisson lectured on translation, manga, and folklore at Duke University, UCLA, University of Washington, Denison University, as well as contributed to exhibitions at the Wereldmuseum Rotterdam and Henry Art Museum. He has been featured on NPR, BBC, and The New York Times, and has written articles for Metropolis, The Comics Journal, and Weird Tales Magazine.
As a manga translator, Davisson was nominated for the 2014 Japanese-US Friendship Commission Translation Prize for his translation of the multiple Eisner Award-winning SHOWA: A HISTORY OF JAPAN. Other acclaimed translations include Satoshi Kon’s OPUS and THE ART OF SATOSHI KON, Mamoru Oshii’s SERAPHIM: 266613336 WINGS, Leiji Matsumoto’s QUEEN EMERALDAS, Kazuhiro Fujita’s THE GHOST AND THE LADY, Go Nagai’s CUTIE HONEY, and Gou Tanabe’s Eisner Award-nominated HP LOVECRAFT’S THE HOUND AND OTHER TALES.
He lives in Seattle, WA with his wife Miyuki, a dog, two cats, and several ghosts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 26, 2018
Accessible introduction to Japanese cat-yokai, with gorgeous illustrations.
This book was a gift from a friend who knows me oh-so-well, and knows my adoration for all things supernatural and all things cat-related. I've also been a long-time fan of Japanese folklore, particularly the weird and wonderful yokai; so much fodder for future book inspiration!
Right from the start, I loved this book. The front cover is a work of art in itself and feels gorgeous to hold - always a key factor for me when reading books of this nature. Inside, the quality is no different; there's a multitude of full-colour illustrations from different eras of Japanese history - from the Edo period to the modern day.
As for the content itself? It's neatly divided into chapters - with each section focusing on a different form of cat-yokai. Expect all sorts of bizarre feline spirits here; from the eerie bakeneko (the shapeshifting cat) to the terrifying kasha - which is more of a demon than a yokai. It's not all scary though; there's also a chapter on the maneki-neko, which you may know better as the cheery waving cat (often gold) that is so often spotted in people's homes or in Chinese takeaways! (We've got one sat cheerily waving away in our spare room...).
Although it's in-depth and informative, the writing is never dry or dull, and that's a difficult thing to pull off. The author's love of Japanese folklore oozes from every page, and the info-based stuff is mixed up with folklore tales and other little titbits of trivia.
This book is a total must-have for anyone who's into Japanese culture / art / or cats. I LOVED it.
This book was a gift from a friend who knows me oh-so-well, and knows my adoration for all things supernatural and all things cat-related. I've also been a long-time fan of Japanese folklore, particularly the weird and wonderful yokai; so much fodder for future book inspiration!
Right from the start, I loved this book. The front cover is a work of art in itself and feels gorgeous to hold - always a key factor for me when reading books of this nature. Inside, the quality is no different; there's a multitude of full-colour illustrations from different eras of Japanese history - from the Edo period to the modern day.
As for the content itself? It's neatly divided into chapters - with each section focusing on a different form of cat-yokai. Expect all sorts of bizarre feline spirits here; from the eerie bakeneko (the shapeshifting cat) to the terrifying kasha - which is more of a demon than a yokai. It's not all scary though; there's also a chapter on the maneki-neko, which you may know better as the cheery waving cat (often gold) that is so often spotted in people's homes or in Chinese takeaways! (We've got one sat cheerily waving away in our spare room...).
Although it's in-depth and informative, the writing is never dry or dull, and that's a difficult thing to pull off. The author's love of Japanese folklore oozes from every page, and the info-based stuff is mixed up with folklore tales and other little titbits of trivia.
This book is a total must-have for anyone who's into Japanese culture / art / or cats. I LOVED it.
February 11, 2018
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).
February 20, 2020
Sometimes a book like this can get overly editorial, and you can tell the author is intentionally mistranslating in order to suit their own fancy. I never get that sense here. The stories feel authentically "other" the way a lot of very old writing is just conspicuously not of our time. Davisson also has a good sense of when to explain confusing details, so I felt neither talked-down-to nor adrift.
July 11, 2021
a delightful little book about a bit of japan's folklore
June 1, 2022
This was a fantastic book! I really enjoyed reading and learning about the different kaibyo, their origin stories and different examples. The artwork placed throughout the book really enhanced the experience as well. Each chapter was a lot of fun!
July 19, 2018
Zack Davisson does a wonderful job unearthing the history of Japan's "demon cats" in his beautifully illustrated volume from Chin Music Press. Cataloging each iteration of demon cat: its origins, its stories, its predecessors, and its successors, Davisson fleshes out these creepy cats. Whether you're a history buff, a Japanese scholar, an art critic, or just a lover of cats, this unique volume will totally engage you.
January 7, 2020
This was a completely random read for me. I have no deep interest in the topic and the driving force in reading this was mainly mild curiosity. This was a good book for what it was, but I didn't feel any real passion or deep interest for it. So, I'm not going to rate this, because my lack of enjoyment was mainly my own fault. I recommend this to anyone who's interested in Japanese cat lore or folklore in general.
March 15, 2023
Altijd hoge ranking als het over katten gaat. "Where there is space for the supernatural, there is space for cats."
December 5, 2024
3.25⭐️
good vibes. complimented greatly by artwork on almost every page
good vibes. complimented greatly by artwork on almost every page
December 17, 2020
I received a copy of this book awhile back in a Goodreads giveaway. I found it interesting and entertaining. I had never known much about Japanese folk stories in general, let alone how prominently cats figure into those tales. There was a lot of research into the origins of the stories. Of extra delight were the beautiful period illustrations included.
August 11, 2024
Un bel saggio che analizza a 360 gradi la figura del gatto nell'immaginario folkloristico giapponese: dal terribile bakeneko al misterioso nekomata, dal necrofago kasha al fortunato manekineko, passando per il quartiere di piacere Yoshiwara con le bakeneko yūgo e valicando i recessi delle montagne con gli yamaneko, fino a toccare la modernità con la riscoperta della maledetta neko musume insieme a Shigeru Mizuki.
Temuto, venerato, amato: tantissimi e sfaccettati sono i sentimenti che questo animale lascia nell'animo umano fin dall'antichità, il quale risulta essere tra i maggiori mostri mutaforma dopo le famosissime kitsune e celebri tanuki. Il libro è interessante anche dal punto di vista artistico, viste le molte immagini a colori di opere e stampe presenti nell’albo.
L'unica sbavatura che ho riscontrato all’edizione italiana è qualche refuso qua e là della traslitterazione di parole giapponesi in italiano. Per il resto una buonissima edizione. Consigliato agli amanti del folklore giapponese e/o dei gatti.
Temuto, venerato, amato: tantissimi e sfaccettati sono i sentimenti che questo animale lascia nell'animo umano fin dall'antichità, il quale risulta essere tra i maggiori mostri mutaforma dopo le famosissime kitsune e celebri tanuki. Il libro è interessante anche dal punto di vista artistico, viste le molte immagini a colori di opere e stampe presenti nell’albo.
L'unica sbavatura che ho riscontrato all’edizione italiana è qualche refuso qua e là della traslitterazione di parole giapponesi in italiano. Per il resto una buonissima edizione. Consigliato agli amanti del folklore giapponese e/o dei gatti.
December 22, 2025
Such a funny book! 😸 It gives great insight into Japan's yokai traditions and how they have evolved over the years and after the Americans came to Japan. It was so much fun to read about the variety of yokai cats and experience them through the amazing (amazing!) artwork. 😻 The author is also quite funny, which is an added bonus! 😹
10/10 would recommend if you like cats or Japan, and if you like cats and Japan it's a no-brainer. 🐈⬛🐈🐅😻😺
10/10 would recommend if you like cats or Japan, and if you like cats and Japan it's a no-brainer. 🐈⬛🐈🐅😻😺
July 8, 2023
The college I work for chose this book as their summer read so I was excited to read something so outside what I would have chosen for myself. Unfortunately, this was SO boring! Poorly written. The pictures often do not line up with what the section is about and the stories are just dull! I’m not the only one. I spoke to a colleague reading it and she said the same. Such a disappointment! And WAY too expensive for the cheap paper and crappy binding.
February 1, 2019
It was a very interesting book about different kinds of supernatural cats, and also included bits of Japanese culture in it. I would definitely recommend to people who like cats, Japanese culture, or even just horror and scary stories. Also a bunch of cool pictures(ukiyo-e)!
February 14, 2019
I found this book to be incredibly fascinating. A interesting mixture of history, art, folklore and the supernatural. I enjoyed the inclusion of famous Japanese artwork and seeing the stories connecting with the artwork was truly fascinating.
October 28, 2019
A delightful and informative book about the supernatural cats in Japanese mythology. Do recommend for cat lovers everywhere.
May 3, 2023
Utterly charming. The only problem is in the layout—the fonts are sometimes too small, the page colors too dark. This would make a great gift.
November 30, 2023
Fun and informative
March 21, 2021
Fun, easy read. The visual layout of the text is excellent. Having virtually no familiarity with the specific subject on my way in, I do get the sense that it covers the fundamentals. The author appears to know his history, writes succinctly and with authority but is simultaneously very approachable, and doesn't dance around anything -- If he doesn't know something, he says it outright.
All that said, though, it ultimately feels more like a good coffee table book than some kind of reference book for Kaibyo (which admittedly is probably beyond what it's trying or claiming to be).
I would have loved a bibliography or to be pointed more directly to further reading ideas, although I'm happy it references select sources within the body of the text. The organization is clear but sometimes the excerpts don't cleanly tie back to what was just explained, so although not a pervasive problem by any measure, some stories lack context.
It's also not clear where some of the excerpts come from (particularly those that start the chapters) and it's my impression they may be the author's invention -- which can be fine to get the right sense across to the reader and introduce an idea, but since this book is specifically about Japanese folklore (and presenting as an authority on Kaibyo), I wish it was made clear whether anything was created, and if so: what was original; how much was derived but written in the author's own words; and why it was included as it was. Without that clarity, there is some danger in how these bits might be interpreted by readers present and future (i.e., as specific examples of Japanese folklore when they may more accurately be interpretive representations or suggestions of it).
Despite this criticism, overall I enjoyed the book, I definitely learned something, and I will read more from this author.
All that said, though, it ultimately feels more like a good coffee table book than some kind of reference book for Kaibyo (which admittedly is probably beyond what it's trying or claiming to be).
I would have loved a bibliography or to be pointed more directly to further reading ideas, although I'm happy it references select sources within the body of the text. The organization is clear but sometimes the excerpts don't cleanly tie back to what was just explained, so although not a pervasive problem by any measure, some stories lack context.
It's also not clear where some of the excerpts come from (particularly those that start the chapters) and it's my impression they may be the author's invention -- which can be fine to get the right sense across to the reader and introduce an idea, but since this book is specifically about Japanese folklore (and presenting as an authority on Kaibyo), I wish it was made clear whether anything was created, and if so: what was original; how much was derived but written in the author's own words; and why it was included as it was. Without that clarity, there is some danger in how these bits might be interpreted by readers present and future (i.e., as specific examples of Japanese folklore when they may more accurately be interpretive representations or suggestions of it).
Despite this criticism, overall I enjoyed the book, I definitely learned something, and I will read more from this author.
September 13, 2023
A wonderful retrospective on the history and legend of cats in Japan, with a wealth of folk tales, historical context, and art
Kaibyo: the Supernatural Cats of Japan by Zack Davisson is a very thorough break down of well known cat legends and monsters in Japan, though I imagine no source could be 100% accurate when it comes to dealing with our meowing overlords…
While this book starts off my talking about one of the most common Japanese cat myths…the Bakeneko…it doesn’t take long before it examines the cultural importance and influence of cats on Japan’s culture. The author covers the presence of cats, their adoration, and their infamy dating back to feudal Japan and going on up to their modern influence on pop culture and animation in Japan.
The real prize with this book is the wealth of illustrations (many of which are woodcuts and screen prints) that cover several centuries of Japanese art history, with most of the art coming from the 18th and 19th centuries. As you gaze upon each piece, part of you might see similarities to modern art depicting cats…and it’s no surprise that cats hold a similar respect today as they did back them.
Then there are the cat demons, witches, and other monsters (including a nice piece depicting a female cat playing an instrument). The author tries to provide as much context as relevant along with brief summaries of notable fairy tales relevant to each chapter.
If you like cats, Japanese art, feline folklore, or all of the above, then I highly recommend checking out this book…
Kaibyo: the Supernatural Cats of Japan by Zack Davisson is a very thorough break down of well known cat legends and monsters in Japan, though I imagine no source could be 100% accurate when it comes to dealing with our meowing overlords…
While this book starts off my talking about one of the most common Japanese cat myths…the Bakeneko…it doesn’t take long before it examines the cultural importance and influence of cats on Japan’s culture. The author covers the presence of cats, their adoration, and their infamy dating back to feudal Japan and going on up to their modern influence on pop culture and animation in Japan.
The real prize with this book is the wealth of illustrations (many of which are woodcuts and screen prints) that cover several centuries of Japanese art history, with most of the art coming from the 18th and 19th centuries. As you gaze upon each piece, part of you might see similarities to modern art depicting cats…and it’s no surprise that cats hold a similar respect today as they did back them.
Then there are the cat demons, witches, and other monsters (including a nice piece depicting a female cat playing an instrument). The author tries to provide as much context as relevant along with brief summaries of notable fairy tales relevant to each chapter.
If you like cats, Japanese art, feline folklore, or all of the above, then I highly recommend checking out this book…
January 3, 2020
I love cats. They always seem to be the caretakers of some inside joke that gives them that unforgettable kitty grin. I've always seen them as protectors, monsters, companions, and mischief-makers. So, when Zack Davisson released his book on supernatural cats of Japan I was delighted. Japanese folklore is my superhighway and Davisson has a talent for taking the vast history of it all and condensing it into relevance that can both sate and whet the appetite for more.
His latest contribution is, first, a beautiful book. It's filled with traditional and relevant artwork on the subject, although the black text on red background for art descriptions killed my eyes. When a visual is needed, this book has it and it is easy to get lost in the depictions of Neko throughout the artistic history Japan offers.
Have you ever wondered where "the inviting cat" derived from? Those cat statues found in pan-Asian shops all over, even in the homes and offices? This book has it, as well as a full description and history of every "sub-Neko" that is still celebrated today both in literature and pop-culture.
Recommended for cat-lovers, folklore enthusiasts, and Japanophiles.
Personal note: This is the book where you learned by Tanooki Mario uses a Super Leaf. All these years and you never knew! A thirty-year mystery laid to rest and one more tidbit of less than useful, but adorable knowledge under your belt. Keep it up.
His latest contribution is, first, a beautiful book. It's filled with traditional and relevant artwork on the subject, although the black text on red background for art descriptions killed my eyes. When a visual is needed, this book has it and it is easy to get lost in the depictions of Neko throughout the artistic history Japan offers.
Have you ever wondered where "the inviting cat" derived from? Those cat statues found in pan-Asian shops all over, even in the homes and offices? This book has it, as well as a full description and history of every "sub-Neko" that is still celebrated today both in literature and pop-culture.
Recommended for cat-lovers, folklore enthusiasts, and Japanophiles.
Personal note: This is the book where you learned by Tanooki Mario uses a Super Leaf. All these years and you never knew! A thirty-year mystery laid to rest and one more tidbit of less than useful, but adorable knowledge under your belt. Keep it up.
August 8, 2018
I always get a little nervous when I see a book that has really great reviews but not a lot of them. It makes me think that only a specific audience (or, perhaps even worse, the author's friends and family) pumping up the reviews on what could ultimately be a mediocre piece of writing.
I'm happy to say that's not the case. Intrigued by the theme and cover after seeing it in a local bookstore, I am thrilled that I took a chance on this book. It is genuinely informative on the different types of kaibyo that are seen in Japanese art and literature, along with a great history of their emergence and their popularity.
Davisson mixes each chapter with the origins of the kanji used to describe each kaibyo, a history of their emergence (mainly in the Edo period) and their respective powers, some fantastic artwork of the cats themselves to help you visualize how their creators saw them, and a short story or two featuring that particular type of kaibyo, often with a moral message for the audience.
I always appreciate when someone can enlighten me on an esoteric subject I know nothing about. This book achieved that in spades.
I'm happy to say that's not the case. Intrigued by the theme and cover after seeing it in a local bookstore, I am thrilled that I took a chance on this book. It is genuinely informative on the different types of kaibyo that are seen in Japanese art and literature, along with a great history of their emergence and their popularity.
Davisson mixes each chapter with the origins of the kanji used to describe each kaibyo, a history of their emergence (mainly in the Edo period) and their respective powers, some fantastic artwork of the cats themselves to help you visualize how their creators saw them, and a short story or two featuring that particular type of kaibyo, often with a moral message for the audience.
I always appreciate when someone can enlighten me on an esoteric subject I know nothing about. This book achieved that in spades.
March 20, 2021
I have a fondness for yokai, and the more I learn about them, the more I discover just how limited my knowledge is. Japan isn't sometimes called The Land of Eight Million Gods and Demons for nothing; prior to reading Kaibyo, I was familiar with nekomata (from the Shin Megami Tensei series of RPGs), and maneki neko (ubiquitous to Asian restaurants), but I really wasn't acquainted with any other varieties of cat yokai. I'm happy to say that this slim volume went a long way toward remedying that, covering the shape-changing bakeneko, to the whimsical gotoku neko (that made me think of one of my dearly departed cats, and her love of the fireplace), and more.
It's a wonderful collection. Each section details the history of the yokai in question, often working in the history of various regions of Japan as well. And most are capped off with a folktale that (usually) features the specific yokai being covered. And the book is filled with gorgeous, full-color paintings and woodblock prints of these various and sundry supernatural cats. Whether you're a lover of cats, yokai, or both, it's a great read.
It's a wonderful collection. Each section details the history of the yokai in question, often working in the history of various regions of Japan as well. And most are capped off with a folktale that (usually) features the specific yokai being covered. And the book is filled with gorgeous, full-color paintings and woodblock prints of these various and sundry supernatural cats. Whether you're a lover of cats, yokai, or both, it's a great read.
January 11, 2020
A short and sweet little book that is brimming with information about the various kinds of demon/yokai cats in Japanese history/lore. It explains their existence, history of when they started appearing in art/media/theater, and lots of of excellent art scans of their appearances through the years - and how they relate to current-day Japan as well as their influence in Western culture and media.
I had been following this book for awhile, and it was constantly going in/out of print for some reason, and the price would skyrocket randomly. Finally at some point I was able to catch it when it was both in stock and decently priced, and snagged it quickly.
It made me realize that many of these cat demons/ghosts seem to evolve to their paranormal forms after as a regular cat, they reach senior age. I have a 15 year old cat who has had some peculiar tail issues as she's gotten older, and now it's making me wonder if it's prepping to split into two, the signature sign of a kind of nekomata. Hm.
I had been following this book for awhile, and it was constantly going in/out of print for some reason, and the price would skyrocket randomly. Finally at some point I was able to catch it when it was both in stock and decently priced, and snagged it quickly.
It made me realize that many of these cat demons/ghosts seem to evolve to their paranormal forms after as a regular cat, they reach senior age. I have a 15 year old cat who has had some peculiar tail issues as she's gotten older, and now it's making me wonder if it's prepping to split into two, the signature sign of a kind of nekomata. Hm.
June 16, 2018
An excellent book for readers weary of retreading the same tired topics and searching for something different. The book is split into sections, first providing a brief overview of Japan's historical relationship with cats, then separating the strands of cat myth, devoting a section of the book to each. The mythology is enriched with translated extracts from period texts, retellings of relevant legends, historical asides, and lavish illustrations. The author does not shy away from the fact that cats have occupied an uneasy place in Japanese culture at times, acknowledging both the cruelty visited on actual cats and the often-horrifying side of feline folklore. Make no mistake, here be monsters - several illustrations show giant cats torturing or eating people. But here also is the Gotoku Neko, who will keep your fire alight on a dark night. An intriguing read, ideal for anyone who enjoys the unexpected in their mythology.
May 14, 2020
Absolutely loved it! I enjoy learning about the folklore of all different cultures. I enjoy things that are about cats. I enjoy learning about Japanese culture. This book has all three things, so it was basically written for me.
I enjoyed the comparisons of how the different supernatural cats were viewed in the past versus present day, and how those transitions were made. I liked the short examples of folk tales included in each section. The writing style felt nice to read. It felt like someone was telling me these things in a conversation.
Basically, if you like cats, folklore, or Japanese culture, you'll probably enjoy this book.
I enjoyed the comparisons of how the different supernatural cats were viewed in the past versus present day, and how those transitions were made. I liked the short examples of folk tales included in each section. The writing style felt nice to read. It felt like someone was telling me these things in a conversation.
Basically, if you like cats, folklore, or Japanese culture, you'll probably enjoy this book.
February 5, 2021
What is the fascination we have with cats? Japan is certainly not the first people to think our furry friends had a bit a magic in them. Cats aren’t native to island they were introduced first as the aloof pets of the rich which surely added to their mystique. Cats that got too old were said to gain supernatural abilities. They could stand on their hind legs, their tails would split (a lot of anime fans just perked up in recognition) and they could change shape.
This is a easy fun read exploring the various flavours of magical cats. Where the stories comes from and who likely just made up some of the cats for a book. It’s packed with historical illustrations.
This is a easy fun read exploring the various flavours of magical cats. Where the stories comes from and who likely just made up some of the cats for a book. It’s packed with historical illustrations.
January 29, 2023
I'm an unrepentant dog lover, but I can get behind a book dedicated the fine Japanese tradition of suspecting cats are up to something. Davisson does about the best job possible -- he spends exactly the right time on the different cat yokai (nekomato [two-tailed cat monsters], bakeneko [cat prostitutes], and many more), delves into their history, gives enough flavor, and moves on. And the illustrations, which to be honest are the real excuse to get this book, are excellent. In less than 200 pages, drawings like a cat samurai, a cat geisha, and a demon cat crucifying a rat in hell make for a wonderful good time.
March 14, 2025
This was such a great idea for a book, and I was looking forward to reading it after author Zack Davisson gave a presentation on the topic at NYC's Japan Society on Japanese "cat day" on February 22, 2025...however, I was surprised when many of the pages would have text that was meant to continue, but it was nowhere to be found on future pages...he would include folktales of types of supernatural cats, but essentially the story would never be concluded because the book was not completed properly. It's a slim book - roughly 150 pages in paperback format, and apparently this edition was re-printed for 2025. But after paying $25 for an incomplete book, I can't help but be disappointed...
March 12, 2023
I'm obsessed with cats and ghosts and this was spookily wonderful! I loved this book from the start - the subject, illustrations (STUNNING!), and Zack Davisson's writing was superb: informative, accessible, and fun. It was great to learn about different magic and demon cats from Japan - and expand on the knowledge I got from watching Hausu (1977). There's so much folklore and history, both old and modern beliefs, and you can tell the author loves Japan and cats. I definitely recommend this beautiful and slim book on the supernatural cats!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews