Kaibyo

A captivating exploration of Japan’s supernatural cats—mysterious, mischievous, and deeply woven into the country’s folklore, art, and spiritual imagination.

Drawing on centuries of legends, woodblock prints, ghost stories, and theatrical traditions, Zack Davisson’s Kaibyo uncovers the many forms that Japan’s enchanted felines take, from shapeshifting tricksters to loyal guardians and vengeful spirits. Beautifully illustrated and meticulously researched, the book celebrates both the eerie and the endearing sides of Japan’s legendary cats, showing how the mysterious felines became enduring symbols of luck, protection, and uncanny power in Japanese life through vivid storytelling and rich cultural context. Whether you’re a lover of folklore, a fan of Japanese art, or simply enchanted by the strange charisma of cats, Kaibyo offers a spellbinding journey into a world where the line between the natural and supernatural is always shifting.