Photographer Candidly Captures Tokyo Street Cats In Their Natural Habitat

A photo posted by Masayuki Oki 猫写真家。野良ねこちゃんねる。 (@okirakuoki) on

May 20, 2016 at 3:45am PDT

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Whether they are leaping, yawning, or delivering disparaging looks from behind fences, the candid group of cats in Masayuki Oki’s photography series do not give a damn if you’re judging them. The Japanese photographer finds the lackadaisical beauty of stray cats in his series of Instagrams and partner book, Busa Nyan.

The artist finds most of his models on the streets of Tokyo, somehow inserting himself before the furry subjects with the cleanest coats. Captured with a quick reflex and an eye for each cat's most flattering angle, Oki’s photos are immediate and filled with front-seat action. He directs his lens to capture an arching spine or sometimes to look straight into a willing feline’s yellow eyes. The diversity and breadth of cat looks and attitudes are far-reaching.

The Creators Project spoke with the photographer who shares that he was first inspired by one particular cat (featured on his book's cover) who opened his eyes to a new irresistible realm of animal photography.

"[When] I met with this cat at first, I [fell] in love with this lady." After taking photos of this initial, as Oki calls it, "bare cat," he started his journey as a cat photographer. With each new shot, the photographer frequently finds that the "World of cats is beautiful [as well as] wonderful."

Oki has compiled his menagerie of stray cats into a photography book, titled Busa Nyan. Translated to English, the name breaks down to “Ugly Cat," though in Japanese, the term is more endearing and is indicative of a natural charm or cuteness.

A photo posted by Masayuki Oki 猫写真家。野良ねこちゃんねる。 (@okirakuoki) on

May 31, 2016 at 11:33pm PDT

A photo posted by Masayuki Oki 猫写真家。野良ねこちゃんねる。 (@okirakuoki) on

Jun 14, 2016 at 6:37am PDT

A photo posted by Masayuki Oki 猫写真家。野良ねこちゃんねる。 (@okirakuoki) on

Jun 11, 2016 at 1:27am PDT

A photo posted by Masayuki Oki 猫写真家。野良ねこちゃんねる。 (@okirakuoki) on

May 24, 2016 at 3:58pm PDT

A photo posted by Masayuki Oki 猫写真家。野良ねこちゃんねる。 (@okirakuoki) on

May 28, 2016 at 5:09am PDT

A photo posted by Masayuki Oki 猫写真家。野良ねこちゃんねる。 (@okirakuoki) on

Jun 3, 2016 at 12:11am PDT

Purchase Masayuki’s book, Busa Nyan, here. And see his full series of stray cat Instagrams on his account, here.

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