Little is known about the talented Japanese illustrator MonoKubu (1995-2022) besides her work, five books of which were published and which continues to captivate with its subject matter and emotional depth.

Working mainly in digital media and signing her works with her social media handle @13033303, MonoKubu imagined a world filled with giant fluffy animals in harmonious interaction with humans.

I get the impression that in her work the animals are both saviours and teachers to the humans.

The soft and tender giant of a black cat (above) seems to be protecting the small boy from the coldness or indifference of the metropolis in the background whereas the fox at the top of the stairs (below) seems to be imparting soothing wisdom to a girl in a dark hour of the soul.

At other times, the animals are an escape into the uncomplicated acceptance and safety of the warmth and softness of their fur.

Having on many occasions buried my own head in my dog’s warm fluff at the end of a long day, I can unidentify. Not that my dog is a giant, and he’s a shorthaired breed at that, but he’s the best anti-stress deal there is.

There is a non-judgmental warmth we humans recognise and value in animals, and MonoKubu captured our need for this feeling oh so well.