The Cat That Inspired The Emperor

In the year 887, at the remarkably young age of just 21, Emperor Uda ascended to the imperial throne, following in the footsteps of his father Emperor Koko. With this significant transition, Uda became the 59th ruler of Japan, a position he would hold for the next 10 years. Throughout his reign which would last a decade, he adhered to a long-standing tradition among the nobility of the Japanese court. He maintained a personal diary, known as the Imperial Diary of Emperor Uda. This invaluable record is the oldest surviving diary from the court, and offers us an extraordinary and unparalleled glimpse into the life, customs, and events of the Heian period, a time that profoundly shaped Japan's cultural and political landscape. These diaries serve as an extraordinary resource, providing deep insights into the culture, politics, and social dynamics of the era. They offer intimate portraits of some of Japan's most influential and historical figures, including writers, courtiers, and philosophers, allowing us to understand the complex relationships that defined the imperial court. Despite the immense value in these writings, very few of them have been translated. However, these diaries still remain one of the most precious and invaluable tools for anyone seeking to understand pre-modern Japanese culture. Emperor Uda was not only a ruler of great wisdom and foresight, but also an intellectually astute and progressive monarch. During his reign, he introduced a number of reforms aimed at strengthening the ethical standards among the high-ranking officials of his court. He worked tirelessly to cultivate a more unjust moral society, encouraging adherence to proper conduct and ethical behaviour among his closest advisors and associates. Beyond his governance, Uda also had a deep fascination with the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of life. His keen interest in the ancient practices of yin-yang divination, astrology, and the study of omens and forecasts connected him with the enduring traditions of yin-yang dualism and the five elements. These practices were integral to understanding the world around him, guiding his decisions and beliefs. Through his diary, we are not only offered a rare and insightful look into the daily life of the imperial court, but we are also provided with glimpses into Uda's private thoughts, beliefs, and practices. This diary represents a bygone era, a time when Japanese emperors still held absolute power over the country, their authority unchallenged, unlike the emperors who would later become symbolic figureheads during the age of the samurai. Uda's reign was one where the imperial family wielded real political influence. His actions and decisions carried significant weight, shaping the future of a nation in ways that would continue to echo through history. One particularly notable and charming entry in Uda's diary, dated on March the 11th in the year 889, offers an endearing account of his beloved pet cat. This entry is not only a personal reflection of the emperor's affection for his feline companion, but also holds historical significance. It marks the first record of a domestic cat in Japan, providing valuable evidence of the presence of these animals in the country during the Heian period. This seemingly simple mention, nestled among the more weighty matters of state and spiritual practice, illustrates the emperor's human side and his deep connection to the world around him, from the grandest political decisions, to the most intimate details of his daily life. Through his diary, we are given the rare opportunity to see the emperor not just as a ruler, but as a man with passions, interests, and connections to the world beyond the country intrigues and political maneuvering. A man whose thoughts on everything from celestial matters, to his cherished pets reveal the richness and complexity of his character. The diary entry he wrote about his cat was in an incredibly poetic style, comparing his cat to a black dragon above the clouds. It reads, Now that I have a few spare moments, I shall write a description of my cat. This black cat of mine had previously been given to the former emperor by Minamoto no Suguru, the junior assistant governor general upon his return to the capital after completing his term of office. The emperor loved the colour of the cat's fur, which is truly beyond compare. Other cats are light black in colour, but this cat is dark black like a crow. My cat is a foot and a half in length and about six inches in height. When he curls up he is very small, looking like a black millet berry, but when he stretches out he is long, resembling a drawn bow. The pupils of his eyes sparkle dazzlingly bright, like shiny needles flashing with light, while the points of his ears stick straight up unwaveringly, looking like the bowl of a spoon. When he crouches, he becomes a ball without feet, resembling a round jade taken from the depths of a cave. My cat moves silently, making not a single sound, like a black dragon above the clouds. By nature, he has a preference for Taoist-style health practices, and instinctively follows the five-bird regimen. He always keeps his head and tail low against the ground, but when he arches his back, he extends some two feet in height. His fur is lustrous, perhaps on account of his Taoist health practices. He is good at catching mice at night, better at it than all other cats. The former emperor enjoyed the cat for several days, and then gave him to me. I have cared for him now for five years. Every morning, I give him milk gruel. It is not simply that I am impressed by the cat's many talents. I have felt particularly keen to lavish the utmost care upon him, however insignificant such a creature may really be, because he was given to me by the former emperor. I once said to the cat, you possess the forces of yin and yang, and have a body that is the way it should be. I suspect that in your heart, you may even know all about me. The cat heaved a sigh, raised his head, and stared fixedly at my face, seeming so choked with emotion, his heart so full of feeling, that he could not say a thing in reply. As we can see in his personal diary, Emperor Uda offers a tender and heartfelt portrayal of his cat, that captured his admiration not only for its remarkable physical strength, but also for its deeply spiritual presence. This cat, in the emperor's eyes, was more than just a companion, it was a living embodiment of nature's balance. Uda believed the creature personified the harmonious forces of yin and yang, the ancient Chinese philosophies of opposites in equilibrium. He treasured the animal not just as a pet, but as a living manifestation of the profound natural and spiritual forces that governed his existence. The emperor's description of his cat is infused with a humour and warmth that reveal not only his affection for the creature, but also his sharp powers of observation. This entry with its mix of playful affection and philosophical insight is a rare glimpse into Uda's private world, a world where even the simplest creature can hold the key to profound understanding. I would like to give a huge thank you to all of my members, your contribution is valuable to the continuation of the channel, and I appreciate you all immensely. A special thank you to John Seitz. I hope you all enjoyed the video, if you did, be sure to like, subscribe and share, and I'll see you all next week for another history profile.