I Am a Cat

A nameless cat quietly observes the strange behavior of the humans who have adopted him. With dry wit, sharp intelligence, and irresistible humor, he exposes the vanity, pretension, and absurdities of Meiji-era Japanese society.



Published in 1905, I Am a Cat launched Natsume Sōseki's literary career and remains one of Japan's greatest novels. Told entirely through the eyes of an unusually perceptive feline narrator, it blends satire, philosophy, comedy, and social commentary into one of world literature's most original voices.



This modern English translation preserves the charm, irony, and elegance of Sōseki's masterpiece while offering a smooth, contemporary reading experience.