“I like cats more and more. What should I do?”
— Takeshi Yoro (anatomist, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo)

★ Author Takayuki Miyazawa is Representative Director of the Kyoto Institute of Life Sciences and a virologist. He was the University of Tokyo‘s first skip-grade doctoral student, earning a PhD in veterinary medicine. He received the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science Award and the Janson Award.
★ Cats first came to Japan to protect Buddhist scriptures from rats. Later they guarded grains and silkworms, inspiring “cat paintings” and “komainu cats”—before becoming pets, cats were already protecting Japanese food and spirit.
★ Cats also provided important clues for cancer gene research. A virologist connects cat origins, ecology, history, and medical science—an angle rarely seen in books about cats.
★ Amazon Japan ranks the book No. 1 in AIDS-related category and Basic Medical Microbiology, No. 2 in Neuroanatomy. Rakuten Books weekly ranking: No. 10 in Science, Medicine & Technology.
★ Anatomist Takeshi Yoro recommends: “I like cats more and more. What should I do?” The book includes a passage: “When I crouched crying ‘ouch, ouch,’ my cat didn’t react at all. But when I was truly in pain, it came to check on me.” For anyone who wants to truly understand cats.

Cats once crossed the sea from the continent to Japan to protect Buddhist scriptures from rats. Later, they guarded Japanese grains and silkworms, gave rise to “cat paintings” and “komainu cats” as objects of faith, and also protected people’s hearts. Furthermore, cats have made great contributions to cancer gene research. This book explains the origins, ecology, and history of cats, and considers how we can “repay” them.

(From Chapter 2)
I used to have a dog, too. A Shetland Sheepdog named Mami. One of a dog’s wonderful strengths is that it responds honestly to your words, voice, and gestures. For example, even if I pretended to cry, she would comfort me properly. Even when I wasn’t in pain but said “ouch, ouch” and crouched down, she would fly over worriedly. It was truly appreciated. But I’m not sure whether she didn’t notice I was acting, or noticed and played along.

Cats are different. When I tried saying “ouch, ouch” and crouching down, my cat Shiohachi showed no reaction at all. But when I was truly in pain and suffering, he came to check on me. This is very mysterious.

Of course, I don’t intend to lightly assert that cats can see through people’s hearts. However, cats seem to sense not only words and voices, but the tension in the air, disturbed breathing, the heaviness of body movements, the quality of silence different from usual—changes in such states. If dogs are animals sensitive to language, cats may be animals sensitive to atmosphere. That is my feeling.

Takayuki Miyazawa（宮沢孝幸）
Representative Director of the Kyoto Institute of Life Sciences (general incorporated association). Born in 1964 in Tokyo, from Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Obtained a veterinary license at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine. Researched animal-derived viruses at the same university’s graduate school. Earned a PhD (veterinary medicine) as the University of Tokyo’s first skip-grade doctoral student. Served as associate professor at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and associate professor at Kyoto University’s Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, among other positions. Left Kyoto University in May 2024. Received the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science Award and the Janson Award. Has experience speaking to the public on public health issues. Major works include “Kyoto University’s Amazing Virology Lectures”.

Chapter 1: The Wonder of Cats—Mysteries of Their Supple Bodies and Sharp Senses
Chapter 2: Cats Quietly Stay by People’s Side
Chapter 3: How Cats Became Humanity’s Neighbors
Chapter 4: Cats Have Advanced Medicine
Chapter 5: Repaying Cats
Chapter 6: The Future of Cats Begins in Kyoto