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February 11, 660 BC

 

660 BC, February 11th is the legendary date of the founding of Japan. To celebrate let us quote from a diary of a member of the royal court, about a cat, written 15 hundred years after the founding of Japan, and a thousand years ago. This is from the 

Sarashina Diary, a text from a few decades after 1009 AD. The name of the author we do not know.

"Once, when I was sitting alone, ...[the cat] came and sat before me, and, stroking her head, I addressed her: "You are the first daughter of the Noble Adviser? I wish to let your father know of it." The cat watched my face and mewed, lengthening her voice.

It may be my fancy, but as I was watching her she seemed no common cat. She seemed to understand my words, and I pity her."

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