10 Japanese Books About Cats You Can Read in English
Cat-terrific Titles For Your To Be Read List
If you’re a cat lover, there is a treasure trove of Japanese books to explore!
As a kid, I never really liked cats. Then, one day in Japan, a black cat walked into my life and I had to reevaluate my decision. It was just a stray, but a persistent one at that. My husband and I called her Mikka-chan. She became a constant companion during our year-long sojourn in Tottori Prefecture. It was Mikka-chan who sparked my curiosity about what Japanese books have to say about cats.
Indeed, today, if you go to any bookstore, you’re bound to find more than a few titles featuring a cute kitty on the cover. These titles perform well not only in Japan but overseas. Book lovers, especially feline enthusiasts, gravitate to these quirky, sweet and sometimes heartbreaking stories.
Japan’s Love Affair With Cats
© Photo by iStock: ES3NJapan, of course, has a special affinity for cats. Have you ever noticed that there are often stray cats but rarely stray dogs out and about? Locals allow these feral creatures to roam the streets freely. In addition, many Japanese households typically have a fluffy feline or two lounging in the window or sleeping under the kotatsu (heated table) during winter.
Japanese culture loves cats. Why? Because they’re cuddly, independent and mysterious, of course! There are cat islands, cat cafes, cat station masters, Kitty Chan/Hello Kitty, even a delivery company named after a black cat.
In Japan, authors also have a fondness for cats. From the classics to modern tales, these 10 Japanese books about cats are the perfect accompaniment to any dreary day. So pull up a chair! Let’s get the cat out of the bag and learn more about these delightful Japanese cat books!
1. A Cat, A Man And Two Women
In the title novella of this collection, Lily the cat gets embroiled in a “custody battle” between a man and his two wives (one divorced and his new bride). Through this story, Tanizaki shows the pettiness and manipulative nature of humans in spurned relationships.
- Author: Junichiro Tanizaki
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,405)
2. We’ll Prescribe You A Cat
What if you could go to a clinic in Japan where the only prescription is cat therapy? In a perfect world, this could happen, right? This collection of five short stories about the healing nature of cat/human relationships is bound to soften anyone’s heart towards felines.
- Author: Syou Ishida
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥4,264)
3. She And Her Cat
If you’re a fan of Your Name and Weathering with You, then you may enjoy She and Her Cat. Originally an anime short by Makoto Shinkai, this collection is written by screenwriter Naruki Nagakawa. The four interconnected short stories about women and their cats are a purrfect choice for the female cat lover.
- Authors: Makoto Shinkai and Naruki Nagakawa
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥3,207)
4. The Traveling Cat Chronicles
Similar to the Japanese classic I Am A Cat, the cat narrator here is Nana, a feisty stray cat who ends up in the life of Satoru. This tear-jerker follows Satoru as he travels around Japan to convince his friends and family to adopt his favorite cat.
- Author: Hiro Arikawa
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,426)
5. The Cat Who Saved Books
Hikikomori (social recluse) Rintaro takes over his grandfather’s rare bookstore when a magical talking cat, Tiger, enters his life. Tiger encourages Rintaro to go on labyrinthine “quests” to rescue books that are not being appreciated by their owners. These quests also help him cope with his grandfather’s death.
- Author: Sosuke Natsukawa
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,390)
6. If Cats Disappeared From The World
In this story, the protagonist discovers he has a terminal illness. Soon afterward, he meets the devil, who offers a bargain: give up something from his life to extend it. What challenges him the most is whether to give up his beloved pet cat, Cabbage.
- Author: Genki Kawamura
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,556)
7. The Blanket Cats
One pet shop. Seven cats. Seven stories. In each story, the pet shop allows one customer to rent one of its seven special cats for a period of three days. Similar to the premise in We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, this collection celebrates the healing properties of owning a cat (for a while).
- Author: Kiyoshi Shigematsu
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,784)
8. Mornings With My Cat Mii
One evening, author and poet Mayumi Inaba rescues a pitiful kitten along the Tamagawa riverbank in Tokyo. Mii becomes her constant companion over the next two decades. This memoir documents the author’s fond relationship with Mii.
- Author: Mayumi Inaba
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,751)
9. The Guest Cat
A couple in their 30s living in Tokyo gradually drifts apart until a cat literally walks into their lives. Chibi gives the husband and wife a new lease on their crumbling relationship, drawing them out of their humdrum lives.
- Author: Takahashi Hiraide
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,428)
10. I Am A Cat
An alley cat is rescued from starvation by a middle-class family. Soon, he finds himself critiquing the host of strange humans he meets and the foolish social expectations of the Meiji era in which he now lives. The cat’s sassy narrative voice makes this a timeless Japanese classic.
- Author: Natsume Soseki
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥2,371)
Bonus: Japanese Books For Kids That Love Cats
11ぴきのねこ (Juichipiki No Neko)
My kindergarten-aged sons absolutely love this classic series. The stories revolve around a band of cats who are always hungry. You’ll often find them scheming to eat any new creature they meet. Sometimes, they succeed. Sometimes, they don’t. The illustrations are simple yet hilarious.
- Author: Noboru Baba
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥1,320)
こねこねねこの ねこピッツァ (Kone Kone Neko No Neko Pizza)
Talk about a title tongue twister! This children’s book is apparently very popular with the younger generation because of its seven quirky cat characters, wordplay and songs available by QR code embedded in the text.
- Author: Minako Kusaka
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥1,650)
100万回生きたねこ (Hyaku Mankai Ikita Neko)
This 1977 classic is not your ordinary children’s book. Here, we meet a seemingly immortal cat. He lives and dies several times, meeting several people along the way. What follows is a deeply profound story about loss and love. If you like the movie A Dog’s Purpose, then this kitty tale is probably right up your alley, too.
- Author: Yoko Sano
- Where To Buy: Amazon.jp (¥1,650)
Bookmark this article for your TBR (To Be Read) list. Do you have any Japanese books about cats that you recommend?
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