Japan's Best Friend: Dog Culture in the Land of the Rising Sun

In Japans Best Friend, stunning photographs explore the religious festivals and shrines that honor dog deities, the streets of Tokyo where canines are a mainstay of kawaii culture, and cafés that make pup-themed latte art. It also features interviews with craftspeople, illustrators, and stylists to investigate the human-to-animal connection.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2022
Publisher: Prestel

In Japan's Best Friend, stunning photographs transport readers to religious festivals and shrines that honor dog deities, to the bustling streets of Tokyo where canines are a beloved staple of kawaii culture, and within the doors of cafés that create pup-themed latte art as well as facilities that train rescue dogs to be involved with therapy. Readers are introduced to Sony's iconic dog robot AIBO; to the loyal Akita Hachiko, whose statue stands next to the world's busiest pedestrian crossing; and to Doge, the Shiba Inu internet sensation. The book delves into how dogs are represented in Japanese traditions, as well as the extraordinary heights to which they are exalted within pop culture. It features Edo and Meiji-era woodblock prints, as well as dog-centric works by Pritzker Prize-winning architects and renowned contemporary artists. Interviews with craftspeople, illustrators, and stylists offer a fascinating glimpse into the human-to-animal connection. At turns adorable, funny, informative, and uplifting, this multi-faceted celebration investigates a phenomenon that will appeal to anyone obsessed with dogs, Japan, or both.

In Japan's Best Friend, stunning photographs transport readers to religious festivals and shrines that honor dog deities, to the bustling streets of Tokyo where canines are a beloved staple of kawaii culture, and within the doors of cafés that create pup-themed latte art as well as facilities that train rescue dogs to be involved with therapy. Readers are introduced to Sony's iconic dog robot AIBO; to the loyal Akita Hachiko, whose statue stands next to the world's busiest pedestrian crossing; and to Doge, the Shiba Inu internet sensation. The book delves into how dogs are represented in Japanese traditions, as well as the extraordinary heights to which they are exalted within pop culture. It features Edo and Meiji-era woodblock prints, as well as dog-centric works by Pritzker Prize-winning architects and renowned contemporary artists. Interviews with craftspeople, illustrators, and stylists offer a fascinating glimpse into the human-to-animal connection. At turns adorable, funny, informative, and uplifting, this multi-faceted celebration investigates a phenomenon that will appeal to anyone obsessed with dogs, Japan, or both.

Weight: 732g
Dimension: 197 x 240 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783791387253