At the heart of this book are twenty-eight real-life animals and the myths and literature, paintings, drawings, textiles and ceramics they have inspired some of the most celebrated Japanese artists and writers to create. Since the dawn of Japanese folklore and religion, the Japanese soul has cultivated a special connection with nature and wildlife, in part due to the natural abundance of the Japanese archipelago. Every animal, from the frightening crow to the sublime crane, is sacred, occupyi...

Jesús Cisneros is a celebrated international illustrator whose work is characterised by its economy of elements, simple, almost minimalist strokes, and a limited selection of colours to breathe life into highly evocative drawings. This book filled with vibrant images presents Cisneros's creative processes as the artist shares insights about inspiration, improvisation, personal style, and artistic evolution. The author includes an illuminating interview woven throughout the text and gives gli...