Cats in Spring Rain : A Celebration of Feline Charm in Japanese Art and Haiku

This delightful little book pays homage to the cat through artfully curated Japanese poetry and prints.

No one captures the graces and idiosyncrasies of cats quite like the painters, printmakers, and haiku masters of Japan. From the Edo to the Showa period, many artists turned their gaze toward an unlikely subject: their small feline companions. Closely observed portraits in words ad ink elevate the everyday adventures of cats: taking a nap on a Buddha statue's lap, daintily eating a rice ball, courting the neighbor's cat. This curated collection of poems, prints, and paintings will leave you inspired to cultivate the serenity and wonder embodied by these creators—and by the cats themselves. Presented as a sweet, jacketed paperback with thoughtful design touches, this volume includes each poem in both English and Japanese.

The writers featured include Bashō, Chiyo-ni, Issa, Shiki, and more—all icons of the haiku form. Artists Hokusai, Hiroshige, Yoshitoshi, and more masterfully captured the personalities of cats and their humans. These images, with their delicate lines and soothing colors, have endured through time to bring us quiet joy.

Additional Informtion:

• Aya Kusch
• Published May 2022
• 156 pages, softcover
• 5.9 x 4.6 inches