Hello everyone. Today, I’d like to talk about Yoko Sano’s masterpiece, “The Cat Who Lived a Million Times,” from a philosophical perspective. This picture book has been touching the hearts of children and adults alike for generations. Let’s delve into its charm and profound message with a focus on the theme of “truth.”

The Meaning of Love and Life
The protagonist of “The Cat Who Lived a Million Times” is an immortal cat. This cat has lived and died a million times. Throughout these cycles, the cat is loved by many owners, but he accepts their love indifferently, unafraid of death, and views his resurrection as a given. To him, life was just a repetitive cycle.

However, everything changes when the cat meets a beautiful white cat. Living with the white cat, he experiences “love” for the first time and feels the joy of living for someone else. This experience of love becomes the moment when the cat begins to understand the truth of life.

A True Way of Living
During his days filled with love for the white cat, the cat understands for the first time how significant his existence is to another. When the white cat dies, he feels deep sorrow and wishes not to be resurrected again, choosing instead to die for real to be with the white cat. Through this ultimate death, the cat fully accepts the truth of life and death.

A Message for Us
Through this story, Yoko Sano questions us about the importance of “love” and the “true way of living.” The cat’s journey from a self-centered life to one that values connections with others teaches us what we should cherish in our daily lives.

Cherishing the time spent with loved ones and finding our own sense of existence through that love—this is what the story teaches us about truly “living.” It prompts us to consider how we should live our one-and-only life and how we should build relationships with others.

In Conclusion
“The Cat Who Lived a Million Times” is more than just a picture book. It is a philosophical tale that explores the truths of life and poses deep questions about the meaning of love and life. Through this story, we can repeatedly reflect on ourselves and find our true way of living.

I encourage everyone to pick up this picture book. Through the cat’s experiences, you may rediscover the truths and meanings of love in your own life.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to seeing you in the next article.