Partway out, the events–their outermost half of glass–hung over the garden and became an oblique skylight inviting in all the sunlight one wanted. And yet, since the owner’s garden wall ran on beyond the house, and as there were no real windows to speak of in the wall of the large neighboring residence to the east, and because of the natural features of the land itself with its downward southerly slope, no eyes fell on the interior. On the south side, running the full length of the room, there was a large window from knee-high up to the ceiling, which was nearly twelve feet wide and provided a sweeping view of the horizon. So many windows still had a relaxing effect on the weary. However, these descriptions offer moments of aware reflection on the mundane. Of course, there’s a danger in reading too much into Hiraide’s descriptions. In other words, enlightenment can only come from the midst of life. Lilies represent rebirth and enlightenment, and they grow out of the black mud of life. Black water and lilies suggests Buddhism’s teachings on impermanence.

The Guest Cat is a short book, but descriptions like these often have allusions. In addition, there was a smaller cobalt-blue Chinese porcelain planter farther away from the veranda, at the edge of the pond, filled with the same black water and more water lilies.

Hiraide handles this by focusing on minute detail:Ī pond, which received water cascading over a waterfall, was located in the center of the garden a little to the east, and there were two planters for water lilies–embracing more than one variety of the aquatic flower–embedded in the earth a short distance from the pond and near the veranda. Rather, it meditates on the normal gifts of life, and, as you should expect from Japanese literature, how transient they can be. This isn’t a romance novel or anything of the sort. The couple gets along well, with only normal, small arguments. The work-from-home couple then has to find a new apartment, one away from Chibi. When one of the couple’s elderly landlords dies, the widow decides to sell the property. The main drama of the story centers around everyday events. She hunts insects in the gardens of the neighborhood and makes herself at home when given a chance. Chibi doesn’t do anything a cat wouldn’t normally do.

It’s hard to believe that is over 30 years ago! The author isn’t familiar with cats, so Chibi’s antics surprise and delight him. The novella offers a detailed slice of life set in the late 1980s. The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide focuses on a childless couple who is adopted by the neighbor’s cat.

The guest cat by takashi hiraide