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Metropolis Japan
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
Why Are There So Many Cats in Japanese Fiction?
Credit: At first, I thought I was going crazy. I'd read a book from Japanese literature, and there it was. A cat. And another book. Another cat. It seemed like every Japanese book I picked up had a cat on the cover, a cat in the plot, or a cat lingering somewhere between the pages, watching everything unfold with quiet judgment. But it wasn't just me. There really are a lot of cats in Japanese fiction. From Haruki Murakami's surreal narratives, where cats often act as enigmatic guides between worlds, to Hiro Arikawa's The Travelling Cat Chronicles , which tugs at heartstrings with a feline road trip, cats seem to hold a unique and powerful place in Japanese storytelling. But why? Japan's deep-rooted cultural connection with cats plays a role. Folklore is filled with tales of supernatural cats, such as the bakeneko and nekomata , mythical creatures that transform into humans or cause mischief. The maneki-neko , the beckoning cat seen in shop windows across the country, is a symbol of luck and prosperity. Cats are revered for their independence and mysterious aura—traits that lend themselves well to fiction. Japanese fiction often explores themes of solitude, transience and quiet introspection. And what better companion to such moods than a cat? Murakami's books, for instance, frequently feature loner protagonists who bond with cats, forming relationships that are wordless yet profound. In Sayaka Murata's novels, where the quirks of human nature are dissected, a cat's presence can provide contrast—an observer unburdened by the expectations of society. Beyond this, cats in Japanese fiction are often stand-ins for memory, loss and comfort. In Takashi Hiraide's The Guest Cat , the protagonist finds solace in a visiting feline during a time of change and uncertainty. These books tap into the Japanese concept of mono no aware —a sensitivity to the ephemeral nature of life. Publishers have caught on to the cat craze, and the market has responded. Book covers featuring cats are practically a genre of their own now, whether or not the story actually involves a feline character (as some readers have found out the hard way). The surge in Japanese 'healing fiction' ( iyashi-kei ), comforting books that offer emotional refuge, has also contributed to the trend. With their quiet companionship and nonjudgmental presence, cats embody the very essence of these cozy, introspective novels. I cover more on this exact topic in the article: Healing Japanese Fiction Books That Feel Like a Warm Hug. (Email me at editor(at) if you have more recommendations.) Will the cat craze in Japanese fiction ever slow down? Perhaps. But the truth is, Japan's love affair with cats is far from fleeting. They've been part of its folklore, art and daily life for centuries. Way back in 889, Emperor Uda (only 22 years old at the time) wrote in his diary about a mysterious black cat gifted to the imperial court: Taking a moment of my free time, I wish to express my joy of the cat. It arrived by boat as a gift to the late Emperor, received from the hands of Minamoto no Kuwashi. The color of the fur is peerless. None could find the words to describe it, although one said it was reminiscent of the deepest ink. It has an air about it, similar to Kanno. Its length is 5 sun, and its height is 6 sun. I affixed a bow about its neck, but it did not remain for long. In rebellion, it narrows its eyes and extends its needles. It shows its back. When it lies down, it curls in a circle like a coin. You cannot see its feet. It's as if it were circular Bi disk. When it stands, its cry expresses profound loneliness, like a black dragon floating above the clouds. By nature, it likes to stalk birds. It lowers its head and works its tail. It can extend its spine to raise its height by at least 2 sun. Its color allows it to disappear at night. I am convinced it is superior to all other cats. I love that last line. In one sentence, it manages to be reverent, indulgent, and quietly hilarious all at once. So human in its devotion, yet so catlike in its aloof worship. And they fit seamlessly into the kinds of modern narratives that Japanese authors craft so well—stories that are wistful. Quietly and deeply human. So if you feel like you're seeing cats everywhere in Japanese literature, don't worry—you're not imagining things. Cats are here to stay. And while I'm actually a dog person (check out my guide to adopting a dog in Japan here), I can't help but love the way felines move through these stories. They lounge in the pages, observing, creeping, and guiding us into worlds of Japanese literature that are at once beautifully mundane and surreally wonderful. You might also be interested in reading: What's Up With Bad Sex in Murakami?
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
The Straits Times Weekly Bestsellers June 7
Fiction: The Passengers On The Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa. PHOTO: HIRO ARIKAWA 1. (1) The Passengers On The Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa; translated by Allison Markin Powell 2. (2) The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei 3. (3) The Emperor Of Gladness by Ocean Vuong 4. (-) One-legged Football And Other Stories by Patricia Pui Huen Lim 5. (4) Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins 6. (-) Welcome To The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum; translated by Shanna Tan 7. (-) The Convenience Store By The Sea by Sonoko Machida 8. (-) The Vegetarian by Han Kang 9. (-) King Of Envy by Ana Huang 10. (6) Fearless by Lauren Roberts Non-fiction: Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore by Walid Jumblatt Abdullah. PHOTO: EPIGRAM BOOKS 1. (1) Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore by Walid Jumblatt Abdullah 2. (2) Elevate Your Assets, Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong 3. (6) Apple In China by Patrick McGee 4. (4) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 5. (-) Agentic Artificial Intelligence by Pascal Bornet and Jochen Wirtz 6. (-) Multipliers, Revised And Updated by Liz Wiseman 7. (9) Empire Of AI by Karen Hao 8. (10) Atomic Habits by James Clear 9. (-) The Art And Making Of Arcane by Elisabeth Vincentelli 10. (-) The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga Children's: The Incredible Basket by Quek Hong Shin. PHOTO: EPIGRAM BOOKSHOP 1. (3) The Incredible Basket by Quek Hong Shin 2. (-) Agents Of S.U.I.T.: Wild Ghost Chase by John Patrick Green 3. (5) Matilda by Roald Dahl 4. (-) Dog Man 13: Big Jim Begins by Dav Pilkey 5. (-) Singapore Is 60: Celebrate With Us! by Sharon Koh; illustrated by Kristen Kiong 6. (-) The World's Worst Superheroes by David Walliams 7. (10) Just A Little Mynah: Makan Mischief by Evelyn Sue Wong; illustrated by Dhanendra Poedjono 8. (-) Beware The Sunda Slow Loris And Other Singaporean Fables by Chen Junhua; illustrated by Chan Shu Yin 9. (-) Eye Spy Singapore by Pippa Chorley 10. (-) Navigating The World With Comfort And Joy As A Little Corgi by Corgiyolk This is The Straits Times' compilation of bestseller lists from Kinokuniya, Epigram, Wardah Books, Book Bar and Afterimage bookstores. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
The Straits Times Weekly Bestsellers May 31
Fiction: The Passengers on the Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa PHOTO: HIRO ARIKAWA 1. (-) The Passengers On The Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa; illustrated by Allison Markin Powell 2. (1) The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei 3. (2) The Emperor Of Gladness by Ocean Vuong 4. (3) Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins 5. (-) Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix 6. (4) Fearless by Lauren Roberts 7. (-) Human Acts by Han Kang 8. (-) In Other Words by AT Writing Workshop & Publication 9. (-) A Thing Of Fun: Stories by O Thiam Chin 10. (-) Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh Non-fiction: Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore by Walid Jumblatt Abdullah PHOTO: EPIGRAM BOOKS 1. (2) Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore by Walid Jumblatt Abdullah 2. (1) Elevate Your Assets, Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong 3. (-) Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates 4. (3) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 5. (7) The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt 6. (-) Apple In China by Patrick McGee 7. (8) Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams 8. (6) The Psychology Of Money by Morgan Housel 9. (-) Empire Of AI by Karen Hao 10. (4) Atomic Habits by James Clear Children's: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2026 by National Geographic Kids PHOTO: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS 1. (1) National Geographic Kids Almanac 2026 by National Geographic Kids 2. (-) The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery 3. (-) The Incredible Basket by Quek Hong Shin 4. (-) Sly The Fly by R.S. Robbie; illustrated by Debbie Yuen and Jessley Sim 5. (-) Matilda by Roald Dahl 6. (-) Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr Seuss 7. (-) Investigators: Class Action by John Patrick Green 8. (-) The Brilliant Oil Lamp by Quek Hong Shin 9. (-) Champion Of The Realms (Book 2) by Vivian Teo 10. (-) Just A Little Mynah: Makan Mischief by Evelyn Sue Wong; illustrated by Dhanendra Poedjono This is The Straits Times' compilation of bestseller lists from Kinokuniya, Epigram, Wardah Books, Book Bar and Afterimage bookstores. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
