Land of the Rising cat book!

My latest book, Land of the Rising Cat (prestel UK) is out today! Check it out
xxx

Sway Gallery Land of the Rising Cat show

Ill be hosting a three week exhibition, Land of the Rising Cat at Sway Gallery London with curator Malene of Tiger tanuki, illustrator and sofubi designer Konatsu and illustrator Kaori Mitsushima.
If you are in London during this time check it out!
I'll be releasing my new book, Land of the Rising Cat on the 5th evening (RSVP essential) and the show will continue for the next three weeks.
xxxx

Sway Gallery London is proud to present an exciting, 100 purrcent cat-themed pop-up, introducing over 200 items, including collectables, kawaii crafts and folk toys, artworks, as well as Japanese woodblock prints!

The event is a collaboration between Manami Okazaki, Japanese culture maven and author of Land of the Rising Cat: Japan’s Feline Fascination, which will be released and sold on the opening night, and Tiger Tanuki, Japanese art dealer and curator.
Manami introduces a unique selection of traditional folk crafts from across Japan, ranging from wooden kokeshi dolls to porcelain manekineko (lucky cats). Tiger Tanuki presents original Japanese woodblock prints, showing some of Japan’s most renowned cat woodblock prints from artists like Tomoo Inagaki, Tadashige Nishida and Utagawa Kuniyoshi, spanning the 19th to the 21st century.
For all the cat and Japanese pop culture lovers, contemporary art pieces, including sofubis (collectable figurines) and artworks, will be provided by the acclaimed artist Konatsu, whose creations cause her die-hard fans to queue for long hours, just to be able to claim a lottery ticket which provides them with a chance to purchase one of her creations!
Kaori Mitsushima, a Prague based Japanese artist, will also present a series of cat inspired artworks painted with simple but strong lines, reflecting a deep connection to Japan.
A great number of the cat-themed artisanal crafts and rare collectables will be exhibited and available for purchase at Sway Gallery London.
From lucky kittens to cool cats, from paw prints to art prints – this is a unique opportunity to own a bit of Japanese kawaii cat culture!

Fodor's

Just a quick post to say Kawaii, Japan's Culture of Cute was featured in Fodor's Essential Japan Travel Guide as part of their "Read This" list.
Thank you so much so the editorial team at Fodor's Travel xxxx

I also saw we were listed in the Historical Dictionary of Postwar Japan. 

Thanks so much William!!

London

Thanks to everyone who dropped by my Daiwa Foundaition event! It is very much appreciated, and thank you to Daiwa as always, it was an honor and pleasure to be there. 

The SWAY GALLERY pop up has started, and will go for another two weeks, please drop by if you are in London, it looks fantastic! Thank you to SWAY for having me!

They have kindly arranged for everyone to pick up the kokeshi after the exhibition closes, so everyone can enjoy the entire show for the full two weeks. 

Over one hundred kokeshi (ranging from traditional, neo-traditional to creative/ contemporary),  folk craft, folk toys and my books. It is a rare chance to see many of these exquisite and quirky works outside of Tohoku hot spring villages. 

SWAY GALLERY LONDON

Im having a pop up at SWAY GALLERY LONDON! 

please drop by if you are in the area xxx

【19th – 31st July 2018】
Pop-up shop, talk and exhibition by Manami Okazaki, the author of
Kokeshi, from Tohoku with Love.

Kokeshi are traditional wooden dolls that are predominantly made in rural hotspring villages in the Tohoku region. Originally a children’s toy made by farmers, these simple and charming folktoys have captured the hearts of collectors around the world.

More than 100 kokeshi will be available, from traditional,
orthodox types to kawaii, modern varieties. A rare
opportunity to purchase new kokeshi by master
artisans in the Tohoku region.

Meet the author:
Sway Gallery (in store) 19th and 28th July all day.

Looking forward to seeing you here!

FREE ENTRY

Opening hours: MON – FRI 11am – 7pm
SAT (21st and 28th July only) 12pm – 6pm
Sunday closed

Daiwa London

Doing a talk/ mini exhibition of kokeshi at Daiwa Foundation in London.
This is a rare chance to see genuine, new kokeshi from living artisans from Tohoku in London!
If you are interested, please contact them directly!
Hope to see you there xxxx

Tuesday 17 July 2018
6:00pm – 7:00pm

Drinks reception: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

13/14 Cornwall Terrace, Outer Circle (entrance facing Regent's Park), London NW1 4QP

Organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Sorbet

Wrote an article on Kawaii culture and Hello Kitty for Dubai fashion magazine Sorbet magazine's Kitsch issue.
Check it out!
thanks Katy xxx