Topics

'Nearnes Collections' by Genpei Akasegawa 　￥1,890　Amazon.co.jp

As a painter, writer and art critic, the multitalented Genpei Akasegawa was truly one of a kind. This publication is the guidebook to the 'Matatabi Art Museum', a gallery established inside of Genpei Akasegawa's vivid imagination. It features a line up of 'cat masterpieces' by the likes of impressionists such as Renoir and Gauguin and popular 20th century painters including Chagall, Picasso and Foujita. Looking through this book, which also includes Akasegawa's humor-filled essays, one cannot help but notice that it was both created by and made for cat lovers.

'Chilewich Cat Mat'　 Sandy Chilewich, 2009　￥8,400
MoMA DESIGN STORE

This unique food mat for cats comes in the shape of a fish. By placing the food dish on the mat, you can protect your floor or carpet from spills. Made out of braided PVC, it's easy to both clean and carry.

Edo-neko Ukiyoe Nekotzukushi' by Shinichi Inagaki and Toshihiko Isao　￥1,995　Amazon.co.jp

This is the first book in Japan to exclusively collect 'ukiyoe' (woodblock print) images of cats. The volume features carefully selected works by the most notable wood block print artists of the Edo Period, including Hiroshige Utagawa, Kyosai Kawanabe, Kuniyoshi Utagawa and Harunobu Suzuki. An astoundingly wide variety of felines can be seen in the works, such as humorously adorable dancing cats, frightening ghost-like cats, cats playing with beautiful women and cats at work as if they are humans. Whether it's the Edo Period (1603-1868) or today, cats never seem to lose their free-spirited character. That said, this volume helps us learn more about life in the Edo period.

In the wake of the massive earthquake disaster that struck northeastern Japan, we have gathered some information that may be useful regarding pets.

The 緊急災害時動物救援本部 ('Center for Disaster Rescue of Animals') has been set up in order to help pets affected by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. (It has been organized by the Japan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Japan Animal Welfare Society, Japan Pet Care Association, Nippon Dobutsu Hogokanri Kyokai and the Japan Veterinary Medicine Association.

If you have any new information, please contact us via twitter (＠ilovedotcat)
We will be providing updates (in Japanese).

Make a Donation to Help Rescue Pets

The following organization is accepting donations in order to help animals and their caretakers in the aftermath of the massive earthquake that struck northeastern Japan.
緊急災害時動物救援本部 ('Center for Disaster Rescue of Animals') through the Japan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals



Mizuho Trust Bank Shibuya Branch (Branch #022)


Ordinary Account #　４３３５１１２


Account Name:　緊急災害時動物救援本部

http://www.jspca.or.jp/

(more…)

(more…)

This month we feature photographer Nobuyoshi Araki (well-known by his nickname of 'Tensai Araki" or 'Araki the Genius') and his beloved cat Chiro. Born in the family home of his late-wife Yoko, Chiro came to live with Araki in March of 1988. For the next 22 years, until Chiro's death at Araki's side on March 2, 2010, the two forged a loving life partnership. The photobook 'Itoshi no Chiro' ('Lovely Chiro') was the beginning of Araki and Chiro's life of feline photography. Below, we introduce Araki's photography books that portray Chiro along with commentary by the photographer himself.

'Itoshi no Chiro' (Lovely Chiro) Published by Heibonsha Ltd. ￥945 　Amazon.co.jp

"While sitting on my lap, Chiro loved it when I read to her from 'I Am a Cat' (by Natsume Soseki). You can tell Chiro's a girl by the way she stops peeing when I try to photograph her going to the bathroom. She really hates that. When Yoko was in the hospital, Chiro waited by my side for her to return. It was just the two of us watching the western sky."

Though Araki originally hated cats, Chiro's charm was able to win him over. Proudly showing off the lizards she caught and running around the balcony, Chiro's mischievous side was also evident. (more…)

“A cat, a man, and two women (Neko to Syoujyo to Futari no onna)” by Junichiro Tanizaki ￥340 Amazon.co.jp

A famous Japanese fiction from Showa period novelist, Junichiro Tanizaki, “A cat, a man, and two women” As the title suggests, the story illustrates a cat named Lilly, a man who falls in love with the cat Lilly, a lover who becomes fatally jealous of the cat and an ex-wife who believes that she can win him back through Lilly. Tanizaki describes the cat to its even finest hair in beautiful words as well as what a ‘cat person’ is capable of doing for a cat he/or she loves as a human being. The novel has been translated into English as well by Paul McCarthy.

Classics The Small Luxury’s Neko embroidered handkerchief　（CLASSICS the Small Luxury）

￥2,100, Custom embroidery starts from ￥420 per letter.
Size: 41cm x 41 cm
Material: Cotton 50% & Hemp 50%
Made in Japan

Under the theme of “The one and only for the special someone,” Classics the Small Luxury is a brand specializing in order-made handkerchief of quality. The one shown above is called “Hikkomi Neko” where the embroidered cat looks like she is playing with the handkerchief and pulling threads out. Customize the handkerchief by placing an initial of that special someone or just your first name anywhere. We do recommend the cat holding on to a letter by its paw or the tail is pretty cute. Of course cat is not the only embroidery you can order. There are other animal designs as well as symbols available to choose from, making it the perfect gift for both cat lovers and haters.

Tadanori Yokoo is a widely known Japanese graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker and painter. In the early 70’s, Yokoo held a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Many of the art lovers might know that he has been actively producing art works even after his retirement from commercially assigned works. It has been announced that Yokoo’s works will be exhibited at Yokohama Triennial 2011. ilove.cat had a chance to sit with the never-slowing artist Yokoo to ask few things about his cat.

Last September, Yokoo’s beloved cat “Tama” had an unfortunate accident and got into a life-threatening situation where the doctors told him “We are very sorry Mr. Yokoo. We don’t quite know how to put this but ...” However, with Yokoo’s love for his cat and the 18 years old cat Tama’s strength to choose life brought the happy family back. At “Setagaya Animal Festival,” an annual get-together of Setagaya Ward’s animal loving residents, they celebrated Tama’s better health and his happy owner, Yokoo. After the upheaval at “Setagaya Animal Festival,” Yokoo was widely covered by mass media for his death defeating cat. We had a chance to chat with Japan’s one of the most influential artist about his wonder cat.

(more…)

'All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat (and Then Some)' by Suzy Becker Translated by Shuntaro Tanigawa 1300 yen Amazon.co.jp

This bible for cat-lovers is admired all around the world. Becker's illustrated book contains wisdom on how to go about one's daily life based on the profound observations of Binky the cat. It includes sobering truths such as "Don't think too far beyond your next meal," "Celebrate the days you can open windows," and "Know all the sunny places." The Japanese edition was translated by poet Shuntaro Tanigawa, who fell in love with the original English version. As a bonus, it comes with a wonderful card that you can give to someone as a present.