paper bag & string: Touching Photo Book of a Grandma and Her Special Cat Friend

(photo used with permission by Miyoko Ihara)

Misao and Fukumaru have a unique bond.

Every day Misao, a 87-year-old Japanese grandma and her constant companion and friend, the cat Fukumaru, go out into the fields of Japan and work. The story of their love is captured in her granddaughter's beautiful photographs.

The granddaughter, Miyoko Ihara, is an award-winning professional photographer in Japan. Twelve years ago she started taking photos of Misao as she wanted to "leave a living proof" of her dear grandma.

Miyoko Ihara "Misao the Big Mama and Fukumaru the Cat"

The book: Misao the Big Mama and
Fukumaru the Cat

One day about 8 years ago, a snowy white kitten with unusual colored eyes wandered into her grandma's heart. Misao found the kitten in a shed and named him Fukumaru in hope that "God of Fuku (good fortune) comes and everything will be smoothed over like maru (circle)."

Miyoko Ihara published her photos of the daily life of the two special friends in a book, Misao the Big Mama and Fukumaru the Cat.

You can see touching photographs of Misao and Fukumaru at Miyoko Ihara's website.

Happy Birthday Misao!
(photo used with permission by Miyoko Ihara)

"Under the sun, every day is a good day. Another good day, Fukumaru," says grandma Misao.

To purchase the book: Misao the Big Mama and Fukumaru the Cat go to Little More Books and Store.

With special thanks to Debbie Bergh for acting as a liaison and to Zeming Chen for sharing a link to Miyoko Ihara's website on the Careers for Your Cat Facebook page.

13 comments:

Princess JasmineNovember 16, 2011 at 3:54 AM
Awwwwwwwwwww, that is so beautiful. What a wonderful, wonderful friendship :)xx
Mr PuddyNovember 16, 2011 at 4:52 AM
OMC ! OMC !!!! Me and My mom love her photo with the kitty for long time, but just know her story today !..We love love this post !!!!
Thank you so much !!!!
xoxo
Old KittyNovember 16, 2011 at 5:41 AM
Oh it's a beautiful site - I've just been browsing through the gorgeous pics and love them all - awww grandma and kitty mirroring each other - soooooooooooooo adorable!! Thank you for the info to this artiste and her amazing grandma and kitty! Really lovely! Take care
x
CatherineNovember 16, 2011 at 7:04 AM
This is beautiful! What a sweet story.
xo Catherine
CatsparellaNovember 16, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Oh, that last picture!!!!
Cats of Wildcat WoodsNovember 16, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Lovely story! Thansk for sharing with us.
Debbie BerghNovember 16, 2011 at 12:38 PM
And according to Miyoko's blog, grandma just had her 87th birthday on Nov 14th (2011) -- celebrating with her now signature cat cake! http://blog.livedoor.jp/whitemanekicat/
The WhiskerattiNovember 16, 2011 at 3:48 PM
I love this story! and that pic of the kitteh kissing his Mom... priceless.
Ann BoyajianNovember 16, 2011 at 6:08 PM
AHHHHHHH! So touching. I hope I have a kitty with me when I'm 87!
TamagoNovember 16, 2011 at 7:13 PM
Oh what a sweet story!!! I love the photos of them together very much. So adorable. They made me smile big!!
ClooneyNovember 17, 2011 at 1:17 AM
That's such a heartwarming story and beautiful pictures! I bet the book is very special.
meowmeowmansNovember 18, 2011 at 3:10 PM
That is so beautiful! We love that they have such a strong bond.
Phoebe Dancing CatNovember 20, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Oh, these pictures are truly magical! What a very special relationship Fukumaru and Grandma Misao have. How beautiful. I can't wait to get my paws on that book. Thank you for sharing it with us, Ann! =^..^=

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