you must have heard about the story: cat and old lady spend all their lives together. this story strikes a chord in me: i am very fond of animals and i believe we are all equals.
recently, i came across pictures of misao and her companion, fukumaru, the mismatch-eyed tomcat and found out about their story.
it was her granddaughter, miyoko ihara, who started documenting the friendship in a photo-book and i admit it: on paper it all sounds a bit boring – an 88-year old grandma and her cat. but misao the big mama and fukumaru the cat is a heartwarming series of wonderful pictures of a big love story in secret rural japan.
my grandmother and her cat are always together.
this photobook captured the everyday life of my grandmother, misao, who bends her self to the fields work with her cat fukumaru.
she named the cat fukumaru in hope that god of fuku (good fortune) comes and everything will be smoothed over like maru (circle).
even though she is 87 years old, she still go out into the fields everyday, and fukumaru always accompanies her.
the book is available here: it’s 3,800 yen and it sounds like a very good idea.
i edited this post with a wide smile on my face: i just hope i’ll find peace and such a good friend to share my old age with!
photo credits: miyoko ihara
13 comments
VK says:
Nov 21, 2012
What a lovely story, and great pictures. Thank you!
little-aesthete says:
Nov 21, 2012
i’m glad you liked it! :)
Francine Lamarche says:
Nov 21, 2012
That was beautiful. I wish more people would commune with their furry relatives…
little-aesthete says:
Nov 21, 2012
you are right: we have a lot to learn from animals :)
Virtual Squirrel says:
Dec 3, 2012
One of my all-time favourite photo-blogs.. it’s unbelievably beautiful, and brings smiles and tears every time I see it. Thank you SO much for sharing this with the world – it’s truly an expression of pure LOVE.
(((((hugs))))) I just love grandma – she’s adorable… ^_^
little-aesthete says:
Dec 3, 2012
i’m glad you enjoy it! :)
MIRAI CHAN - A VERY CUTE JAPANESE LITTLE GIRL - little aesthete's blog says:
Aug 16, 2013
[…] focused on cute characters seem to be an ongoing trend in japan. you probably remember my post of the friendship between a grandmother and her white cat. here you have an instagram effort, […]
carlexe says:
Nov 18, 2013
lovely story.
little aesthete says:
Nov 18, 2013
i agree :) it still makes me smile like the first time i saw them :)
Maria says:
Feb 22, 2014
This is absolutely beautiful and o so touching to see the bond between your grandmother and her cat. My mother had the same bond its amazing. Unfortunately my mother passed away this sept and I now Have her cat. I found this on Facebook and it brought me to tears but they were happy. To have and experience that love trust and bond with an animal I believe is a gift and the people who experience it are very lucky. God Bless your grandmother and her kitty for many more years together.
little aesthete says:
Feb 22, 2014
hey, maria!
this is not my grandmother but i love animals and i believe that people who can bond w/ them are good people.
this very cute pair is just one of the many all over the world. love is beyond words and race, right? :)
a kiss and a hug!
andreea
Giuseppina Loffredo says:
Jan 22, 2015
Fantastic story. Your granny was blessed to have such a great friend, and you too for being part of her family and able to tell her story.I am going to share. Congratulations to all.
little aesthete says:
Jan 23, 2015
thank you very much but there is a misunderstanding: i am not the grand-daughter, but a blogger who liked the story and wrote about it! :)