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From Top: 'Akanbe Nontan' ('Nontan Pulling Down Eye'), 'Akanbe Kitsune' ('Fox Pulling Down Eye'), 'Nontan', rough sketch, 'Nontan Tatan Zukan' ('Nontan Tatan Picture Dictionary of Play') Sachiko Kiyono / Kaiseisha, Limited Exhibition-only Nontan coffee mug / 'Hamigaku Ha-mi- ⓒ KIYONO／K

'Minna Daisuki! Nontan-ten' ('Everybody Loves You! - Nontan Exhibition')

This exhibition features the young tomcat, Nontan, a character created by picture book author Sachiko Kiyono. It all began when Kiyono-san created a character based on a white fox pup. Among the feedback she received was the advice to make an animal character that was a little more 'child-friendly'. After following this advice, the white cat now known as 'Nontan' was born. 


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Kuniyoshi Utagawa's 'Playful Cats' Sticky Post-it Notes　525 yen　by Benrido

These post-it notes are based on the work of late-Edo Period master of woodblock prints, Nihonbashi-born Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1798-1861). Using innovative compositions, Kuniyoshi rendered the facial expressions and gestures of both humans and animals with an abundance of wit. Thus, it is no wonder that his works have transcended ages and continue to fascinate audiences. This set of post-it notes includes 4 different cat designs. Each energetic feline was drawn by the cat-loving Kuniyoshi. When the funny cats peak out from the edge of your paperwork, they will definitely attract attention. In addition to cats, the 'Goldfish People' and 'Animals at Play' series' of Kuniyoshi post-it notes are also available.

Collection of Tokyo National Museum / Brushwork by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

New from Mujirushi - 'Post-it notes made from the paper of reforested trees'. Comes with 3 cat shapes - each with 20 sheets. 525 yen muji.net

Mujirushi post-it notes now come in a variety of cat-shapes. Though they won't offer you much space to write, they do make for a fun way to decorate your desk. Looking at the 3 silhouettes will surely make you want to take up a pen and add your own facial expressions and patterns. Dog-shaped post-it notes are also available.

The Kagurazaka area of Tokyo, with it's deep connection to our feline friends, is much loved by both cat-lovers and the animals themselves. Kagurazaka is the land of Soseki Natsume, author of the famous novel, 'I Am a Cat'. In addition to hosting the 'neko-zuka' ('cat-tomb'), which was built as a memorial to Natsume's own cat, the area is home to a number of headquarters for Japanese publishers that specialize in printed matter about cats, such as the magazine 'Neko Biyori'.

On October 30th, Kagurazaka was the site of the 'Bakeneko Parade' ('Ghost Cat Parade'), which was organized by the Bakeneko Parade Planning Committee. This year marked the 2nd staging of the event, which allows anyone to participate as long as they are dressed up as a cat.

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Photographer Shin Suzuki recently used a rare day-off to photograph the two Tokyo holy places that claim to be the origin of the 'maneki-neko' (aka 'lucky cat' or 'beckoning cat'). Representing Tokyo's west side is Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple, and representing the city's east side is Imado Jinja, a Shinto shrine.

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Ito Junji's Cat Diary - Yon & Mu' (Kodansha Press) 680 yen amazon.co.jp

If you ask him whether he prefers cats or dogs, he'll tell you that he's a dog person. Down deep, the author, a writer of horror manga, thinks that he likes dogs because they are so loyal to their masters. However, his cat-loving partner, Ms. A, insists on bringing two cats into his home. The arrival of kittens - the funny-faced 'Yon' and the affectionate 'Mu', bring with them a string of agonizing days. He becomes envious when the cats choose Ms. A's bed over his. So, in the small hours of the morning, he spreads cat food on his bed (after the cats eat it, they promptly return to A-san). He then tries out a cat-teasing toy for the first time (the cats completely ignore him as he dances around like a fool). Readers will laugh out loud at the foolish ways the author tries to connect with cats, who have their own pace. Unlike other cat manga that features roughly drawn images, Ito's illustrations have an extremely detailed and dramatic touch that well-suits the funny story lines. No matter how many times I read this cat-themed manga, I find myself laughing.
P.S. Whatever you do, don't try reading this book on a train. Because you won't be able to stop yourself from laughing, people will think there is something wrong with you.

'Noroneko Ken-san' (Ken the Stray Cat) by Tomomi Muramatsu [Kawade Shobo Shinsha Press]　1,470 yen　amazon.co.jp

The cat that comes and goes in your garden... the cat that you always meet by chance in the neighborhood... If you like cats, you know the kind of stray cat we are talking about. Even famous writers have this feeling, such as Tomomi Muramatsu, the writer of 'Abusan Monogatari', the Naoki Prize winning book about 21 years spent together with a cat.
While feeding the stray cats that enter his garden, he spontaneously give them names. Eventually, one of the cats becomes irreplaceable. Beginning with Ken, a quiet yet rowdy stray, this attractive volume is full of rugged cats.

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