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.

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 ka...

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.

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 c...

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)!

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, f...

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.

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.

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...

A comprehensive compendium of loosely termed “cat monsters.” Though now their imagery is ubiquitous throughout Japan, each creature’s origins are thoroughly researched, and even their names are linguistically dissected for the student of the Japanese language. Both traditional and Western interpretations of their stories are told (Andrew Lang and Lafcadio Hearn) - and the writer delves into premodern as well as the contemporary culture of Japan. Excellent resource!

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 inte...

a delightful little book about a bit of japan's folklore

A delightful and informative book about the supernatural cats in Japanese mythology. Do recommend for cat lovers everywhere.

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, c...

Not only was this book interesting and informative, it was beautifully designed and produced. Though I do wish that the captions hadn't been in black type on a dark red background -- made them really hard to read.Recommended for anyone who likes cats, especially information about cats' place in culture; as well as anyone who's interested in Japanese culture and history or anyone who's interested in "monsters," cryptozoology, the supernatural, and other weirdnesses.

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 r...

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.

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

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

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...