Cats of Japanese Poetry

Year 1603. Japan enters the Edo period — the time of the Tokugawa shoguns, when the country, isolated from the outside world, experiences a blossoming of culture, art, and literature. It is during this period that Kobayashi Issa, one of the greatest masters of haiku, creates his works, infused with deep love for nature and animals, especially cats. But behind the lines of his touching haiku lies a life story full of personal tragedies, struggles against discrimination, and a search for solace in a world where cats become symbols of freedom and independence.

However, the Japanese love for cats goes much deeper. Even before Issa, these mysterious creatures held a special place in Japanese mythology, religion, and art. Today, cat culture is experiencing a new renaissance: from "neconomics" and cat cafes to cat islands. The story of the tricolor cat Tama, who saved a railway station from closure, is just one of many examples of how cats inspire and change the lives of the Japanese.

This book is a journey into the world of Japanese culture, where Issa's haiku about cats become a bridge between the past and the present. They remind us of the importance of emotions, freedom, and connection with nature, as well as how small creatures can inspire great changes.