Exhibition: Japan’s Best Friend: Dog Culture in the Land of the Rising Sun

This pop-up will be a release event for curator Manami Okazaki‘s new book, Japan’s Best Friend: Dog Culture in the Land of the Rising Sun by Prestel, one of the world’s leading publishers of art and design books.

The book is a quirky, nose-to-tail survey of Japan’s love affair with dogs that 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.

From religious festivals and shrines that honor dog deities, to folklore, legends and icons, to famous art works, architectural projects, to movies, the book explores how dogs are represented in Japanese traditions, as well as the extraordinary lengths to which they are exalted within pop culture. From SONY’s iconic dog robot Aibo, to the loyal Akita Hachiko, to Doge, the Shiba Inu internet sensation, readers are taken through some of Japan’s most iconic canines and offers a fascinating glimpse into the human-to-animal connection. This show will feature dog themed art and crafts from an array of creators.