Cats in Japanese Literature

11/28/22 • 42 min

Today, we’re going to look at cats in Japanese literature.

We’ll start with the history of cats in Japan.

We’ll move on to cats in Japanese folklore and fiction, including the work of Haruki Murakami.

And finally we’ll end with a discussion of our readers' choice, “The Town of Cats” by Sakutaro Hagiwara.
Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.

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Today, we’re going to look at cats in Japanese literature.

We’ll start with the history of cats in Japan.

We’ll move on to cats in Japanese folklore and fiction, including the work of Haruki Murakami.

And finally we’ll end with a discussion of our readers' choice, “The Town of Cats” by Sakutaro Hagiwara.
Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.

Become an RJL supporter for seven minutes of bonus content.

Support this podcast by buying from Bookshop.org

Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)

Previous Episode

The Smile of the Mountain Witch

In this episode...

Is she a man-eating crone?

Is she a lonely wanderer?

Or is she a sensual matriarch?

However you define her, she’s the yama-uba—Japan’s legendary mountain witch.
Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.
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Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)

Next Episode

Japanese Magical Realism

Magical realism is a literary genre famous for unexplained fantastical encounters that pop-up in the otherwise everyday world.

Today, we’re going to take a look at magical realism in Japanese fiction.

We’ll start with defining magical realism, including a look at why that term is difficult and why some people think of it as controversial.

Then we’ll turn to the history of magical realism in Japan and take a closer look at the work of Tomihiko Morimi, especially The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl.
(CW: brief mention of fictional suicide attempt)
Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.

Become an RJL supporter for bonus content.
Support this podcast by buying from Bookshop.org
A Reading List of Japanese Magical Realism

Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)