**This quirky, nose-to-tail survey of Japan's love affair with dogs
explores why they have played such an important role in the country
since ancient times, how they're represented in traditional and
contemporary culture alike, and which breeds are most distinctly part of
the canine craze.
**
In Japan's Best Friend, stunning photographs take readers to religious
festivals and shrines that honor dog deities, to the streets of Tokyo
where canines are a mainstay of kawaii culture, and inside the doors
of cafés that make 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
is located next to the world's busiest pedestrian crossing; and to Doge,
the Shiba Inu internet sensation. The book looks at how dogs are
represented in Japanese traditions, as well as the extraordinary lengths
to which they are exalted within pop culture. It includes Edo and
Meiji-era woodblock prints, as well as dog-centric work 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.
