Maneki Neko

Japan has long been known as the Land of the Rising Sun, but it is now better known as the Land of Cat-Cafes, Green-Tea Matcha Lattes, Love-Hotels and Orion Beer! Together, Don and Christine Kastner traveled to Japan to attend the 5th Uchinanchu Festival on the small Pacific island of Okinawa, where Chris once lived as a teenager in the 1960s with her U.S. Army father and family. The sound of choppers hovering overhead . . . takes me back to my childhood. I grew up hearing them in the background . . . or coming in for a landing. It was a comforting background sound—along with the roar of jets streaking through the skies. I was a military brat.

This book takes an unprecedented comparative approach in examining East Asia. Part in-depth reference, part handy guidebook this manual serves both travelers and students of Mainland China, Japan, and South Korea. Blending detailed maps with history and contemporary cultural similarities and differences, this book provides the most up-to-date information on the pulse of East Asia.

Presents more than four hundred lists on various information on cats, including cat breeds, training, and behavior, as well as such topics as famous cats in history, cat food recipes, and gifts for pampered cats.

"In an age when so much of our time is spent staring at screens, it is easy to understand why the warmth, intimacy and idiosyncrasies of hand craftsmanship should seem alluring…the term Mingei describes useful, unobtrusive, beautifully crafted objects" --Alice Rawsthorn, The New York Times The Mingei Folk Crafts movement, founded by philosopher and art historian Soetsu Yanagi and potters Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro in the early 20th century, celebrates the utilitarian designs in functional objects hand-crafted by village artisans throughout Japan. This book offers an illustrated guide to Japan's rich folk craft traditions and shows why the Mingei philosophy is even more relevant today than it was a century ago. Folk crafts have become associated with the Slow Life movement and the Wabi Sabi philosophy which values simple and imperfect items above the bright and shiny mass-produced objects of our modern culture. This book introduces 34 fascinating Japanese folk craft traditions--ranging from popular, widely-known ones to many lesser-known crafts that are equally exquisite but rarely seen. The crafts covered here include: Aizome Hand-dyed Indigo Textiles which use the leaves of the indigo plant to produce a rich, deep-blue color Bizen, the unique unglazed pottery with an earthy, rustic appearance--and simple, charming designs Chochin Lanterns made of handmade washi paper stretched over a bamboo frame, found outside restaurants and temples, including the famous example at the entrance to Tokyo's Sensoji Temple Edo Furin Wind Chimes made of delicate hand-blown glass, one of the iconic symbols--and sounds--of the hot and humid Japanese summers Inuharuko Papier Mache Toy Dogs, adorable pups that have acted as good-luck symbols since the Edo period Maneki Neko Beckoning Cats, one of the most popular folk crafts in Japan, with their right paw raised to bring in money and good luck Tenugui Cloths, dyed using the chusen method to provide delicate color gradations and used as kitchen cloths, for wrapping or to wear as a scarf, as well as for framing since they are so beautiful! Author Manami Okazaki describes each craft in loving detail and interviews nine talented folk artists specializing in unique crafts like Koginzashi Needlework, Bingata Dyed Fabrics and Warazaiku Rice Straw Crafts. This beautifully-illustrated book will be treasured by folk art collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. It features 400 color photographs and a comprehensive guide to buying Japanese folk crafts both inside and outside Japan.

DIVCat Lover's Daily Companion is a unique, easy-to-use, and inspiring handbook filled with a year's worth of insight, helpful tips, and practical advice into the feline-human relationship for all cat lovers and owners. Whether you're a cat owner yourself or someone who just loves all things cat, this book will provide you with a lifetime's worth of ways to enjoy and appreciate cats, whether or not you have a house full of cats, or just a shelf full of books. The format of the book—a year-long, day-minder-type book—is not meant to be read cover to cover; rather, the book can fall open on any given day and still serve its designated purpose. Cat Lover's Daily Companion will be completely indexed so readers in search of specific content, not just dabbling, will be able to navigate it./div

“Brims with magic that is accessible to everyone; magic that works regardless of one’s level of experience or background.”—Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch Pure Magic is one of those rare works of modern-day witchcraft that has already become a classic. First published twenty-years ago, the book has become an essential resource for beginners and experienced devotees of the magical arts. Written by one of today’s most trusted and beloved teachers and writers on magic and witchcraft, Pure Magic offers: an introduction to the essentials of magic, a complete glossary of psychic and magical terminology, a primer on the four elements, a survey of magical supplies (including minerals and botanicals), and a compendium of spells for any situation. Also included is guidance on how and where to practice magic; how to rightly use words of power; and how to cleanse, protect, and enhance your magical self. This new Weiser Classics edition includes a foreword by Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch and a new preface by the author. This book was previously published as The Big Book of Practical Spells.

Tattoos have moved into the mainstream and are continuing to grow in popularity. For people contemplating getting a tattoo, however, the choice of images can be overwhelming. THE TATTOO ENCYCLOPEDIA provides a comprehensive and informative exploration of the colourful world of tattoos. It presents precise descriptions of both common and unusual symbols and sheds light on their historic, religious and cultural significance. Organised in a convenient A-Z format, cross-referenced, indexed and illustrated with 300 pieces of authentic tattoo line art, the book features a stunning array of images from ancient Buddhist and Chinese designs to those sported by twenty-first century bikers. Whether choosing a personally significant tattoo, wanting to learn more about a symbol, or simply interested in tattoos as a form of art and body decoration, readers will discover the richness of tattoo culture in this treasury.

From Hello Kitty to Maneki Neko—Japan is the epicentre of global cat culture! Whether lurking in corners or taking center stage, cats are a ubiquitous presence in Japanese art. Depending on the situation, they may invite good fortune, prompt the viewer to meditate on a tale or provide evidence of an unseen world of magic and supernatural happenings. In 200 charming woodblock prints, paintings, screens and figurines spanning three centuries, Japanese art expert Rhiannon Paget celebrates the rich symbolism and surprising stories surrounding the feline image in Japan. This collection features works from over 30 museums and institions across the world, and contains essays on the following fascinating topics: Domestic Companion or Household God? Japanese artists represent the great affection and sense of pride which bonds cat owners to their pets The Feline Muse: Feline figures as ideal subjects for artists to explore in fluid lines and organic forms, their glossy fur and markings lending themselves to the interplay of textures and materials Lucky Cats: Auspicious creatures in Japanese culture, symbolizing health, longevity and prosperity Mischief and Mayhem: Japan's rich visual record of cats as witches and feline monsters Philosophers' Cats, Teachers' Pets and Moggies with Messages: The felines deployed to illustrate philosophical and religious ideas, and as conveyors of folk wisdom Plus much more! This delightful book will appeal to anyone with an interest in Japanese art and culture, plus of course to all cat lovers!