Zen Cats

The embodiment of Zen - independent, serene, enlightened - these cats inhabit the temples, shrines, gardens, and parks of Japan. The photographer has captured these free spirits in many poses, from meditating in a garden and baring fangs in a hunting stance, to frolicking with the family, perching on statues, and curling in repose. In Japan cats have always occupied a special place: the eternal symbol of good luck is a white cat with its paw raised, and ancient screens from centuries past are often graced with a cat. And in the rarefied world of Buddhist and Shinto temples cats have also been welcome for practical reasons. Since the monks eat rice and so do mice, there's more rice with cats regulating the population. Fascinated by these Zen cats, the photographer regularly visits temples and other places where they reside, and he feels the cats wait to greet him and his camera. His intriguing images are paired with poems by generations of Zen disciples and monks, who do not assign any human quality to them but praise them for what they are. How perfectly Zen-like after all!