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Le Bureau des chats
Un recueil de contes par l’une des plus grandes figures littéraires du Japon, dont l’humour et le merveilleux ont toujours, comme chez Andersen, une résonance intime et douloureuse. Dans un univers de fantaisie et de mystère, ces histoires ont parfois la saveur des fables et ce sont souvent de vrais drames qui ont lieu, dont les protagonistes sont des enfants, des animaux, des plantes ou même des étoiles.Ce n’est pas dans l’intention de divertir les enfants qu’il les écrivit : il portait en lui la nécessité d’écrire ces contes destinés à un âge universel.
112 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Kenji Miyazawa
1,004 books345 followersHis name is written as 宮沢賢治 in Japanese, and translated as 宮澤賢治 in Traditional Chinese.
Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933) was born in Iwate, one of the northernmost prefectures in Japan. In high school, he studied Zen Buddhism and developed a lifelong devotion to the Lotus Sutra, a major influence on his writing. After graduating from an agricultural college, he moved to Tokyo to begin his writing career but had to return home to care for a sick sister. He remained in his home in Iwate for the rest of his life. One of his best-known works is the novel Night on the Galactic Railroad, which was adapted into anime in the late twentieth century, as were many of his short stories. Much of his poetry is still popular in Japan today.
Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933) was born in Iwate, one of the northernmost prefectures in Japan. In high school, he studied Zen Buddhism and developed a lifelong devotion to the Lotus Sutra, a major influence on his writing. After graduating from an agricultural college, he moved to Tokyo to begin his writing career but had to return home to care for a sick sister. He remained in his home in Iwate for the rest of his life. One of his best-known works is the novel Night on the Galactic Railroad, which was adapted into anime in the late twentieth century, as were many of his short stories. Much of his poetry is still popular in Japan today.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 12, 2018
In this collection of short stories, Kenji Miyazawa excels. There are several differences with other stories or collections I have read before this one. In "Night in the Milky Way Railway," for instance, there are no "bad guys." Yes, some of Giovanni's friends throw their weight about him, but they cannot be considered "wicked." In "The restaurant of many orders" evil is there, but it is difficult to see and is not personified.
In this collection, however, there are explicit "bad guys." Thus, in "The twins of the sky," the "bad guy" is the comet. This is one of the first two stories he ever wrote (at 22), a precedent for "Night in the Milky Way Railway," as it takes place mostly in heaven and its characters are constellations and stars.
In another primal story, "The Spider, the Slug and the Badger," written at the same age (22), the three main characters (those in the title) are "bad guys" that deceive their preys to devour them. All of them come to a bad end.
"The cat bureau" is a surprising story, a criticism of bureaucracy and civil servant petty envy. I wonder whether this story could have influenced the name of the "department of cat affairs" in the cartoon film "The cat returns" by Studio Ghibli, although the department in question is quite different.
But the most poetic stories in this collection are the last two. "The wild vine and the rainbow" confronts the two characters in the title, each of which happens to be a tremendous admirer of the other. "The nighthawk star" plays with the name of the bird (a Caprimulgidae) to build a compelling story about the desire to reach beyond one's limitations.
In this collection, however, there are explicit "bad guys." Thus, in "The twins of the sky," the "bad guy" is the comet. This is one of the first two stories he ever wrote (at 22), a precedent for "Night in the Milky Way Railway," as it takes place mostly in heaven and its characters are constellations and stars.
In another primal story, "The Spider, the Slug and the Badger," written at the same age (22), the three main characters (those in the title) are "bad guys" that deceive their preys to devour them. All of them come to a bad end.
"The cat bureau" is a surprising story, a criticism of bureaucracy and civil servant petty envy. I wonder whether this story could have influenced the name of the "department of cat affairs" in the cartoon film "The cat returns" by Studio Ghibli, although the department in question is quite different.
But the most poetic stories in this collection are the last two. "The wild vine and the rainbow" confronts the two characters in the title, each of which happens to be a tremendous admirer of the other. "The nighthawk star" plays with the name of the bird (a Caprimulgidae) to build a compelling story about the desire to reach beyond one's limitations.
February 13, 2025
Un avis un peu mitigé sur ce court recueil de nouvelles. Son format pousse à le finir mais je n'ai pas particulièrement apprécié ma lecture. Il y a pour moi un sentiment de "pas fini" dans chacune des histoires, peut-être que c'est moi qui ne laisse pas assez de place à l'imagination pour certaines. Mais pour d'autres j'ai également l'impression de passer à côté d'une part du sens, qui je crois ce veut profond, poétique et surtout très pathétique à laquelle je n'arrive pas à accrocher.
February 8, 2025
My first time reading Kenji Miyazawa, i am very glad that my edition had some inside on the author's work because this type of work/writing is to be analysed and reflected upon.
However reading this as a no brainer I discover very interesting tales with a fairytale fiction type of twist.
However reading this as a no brainer I discover very interesting tales with a fairytale fiction type of twist.
December 27, 2021
Bref, je ne dirais pas que "Le Bureau des chats" est mauvais, loin de là, mais il n'est pas ce que j'attends d'un recueil de contes. J'ai trouvé quelques unes des histoires trop abstraites et j'ai mis du temps à comprendre les personnifications qu'a voulu faire l'auteur. De plus, je suis restée assez confuse quant aux messages qu'il souhaitait nous faire passer. Pour moi, un conte doit véhiculer un message positif, une justice ou une morale quelconque et je ne les ai pas vus ou alors pas compris ici. C'est probablement un bon livre mais je ne pense que ce soit un livre fait pour moi.
September 25, 2020
Petit livre qui nous offre plusieurs contes à la fois bizarres et merveilleux, dans l'esprit japonais qui n'oublie jamais de mettre en toile de fond la nature profonde de l'Humain, même quand les personnages sont des étoiles ou des chats, avec la touche d'humour et la note de mélancolie qui les caractérisent.
January 6, 2018
Un recueil de contes d’un auteur qui s’est principalement fait connaître après sa mort et qui nous envoie de la magie dans les yeux grâce à son atmosphère particulière et à la beauté de son écriture.
Article : https://comaujapon.wordpress.com/2018...
Article : https://comaujapon.wordpress.com/2018...
June 30, 2024
The cat office is located deep in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. The office is staffed by a black cat office manager and other unique cats. The main character, Kamaneko, was hired as a clerk because he can write well and read poetry. However, the other cats look down on Kamaneko and repeatedly harass her. Despite this, Kamaneko tackles his work with his natural cheerfulness and earnestness.
The cats in the story are all full of individuality and entertaining. The office manager, a black cat, is dignified yet mild-mannered, understands Kamaneko, and supports him. The other cats look down on Kamaneko and repeatedly harass him, but there is something humorous about them that is hard to hate. The interaction between these cats is comical and never boring.
The theme of this story is that talent and hard work are not always rewarded, but that we should still hold on to hope. Kamaneko, despite his talent, is bullied by those around him. I think this shows that the world is not always fair. Yet, Kamaneko is not discouraged and continues to move forward with hope. I felt that this story teaches us the importance of having hope, no matter how hard times may be.
Reading this work, I was moved by Kamaneko's indomitable spirit. I was impressed by Kamaneko's brightness and earnestness as he continued to work without giving in to the harassment of others.
Through the humorous story of these cats, this work teaches us the harsh reality that talent and hard work are not always rewarded, and the importance of living without losing hope. In addition, the unique characters of the cats will keep readers interested. Kenji Miyazawa's deep insight and kindness shine through in this touching work.
The cats in the story are all full of individuality and entertaining. The office manager, a black cat, is dignified yet mild-mannered, understands Kamaneko, and supports him. The other cats look down on Kamaneko and repeatedly harass him, but there is something humorous about them that is hard to hate. The interaction between these cats is comical and never boring.
The theme of this story is that talent and hard work are not always rewarded, but that we should still hold on to hope. Kamaneko, despite his talent, is bullied by those around him. I think this shows that the world is not always fair. Yet, Kamaneko is not discouraged and continues to move forward with hope. I felt that this story teaches us the importance of having hope, no matter how hard times may be.
Reading this work, I was moved by Kamaneko's indomitable spirit. I was impressed by Kamaneko's brightness and earnestness as he continued to work without giving in to the harassment of others.
Through the humorous story of these cats, this work teaches us the harsh reality that talent and hard work are not always rewarded, and the importance of living without losing hope. In addition, the unique characters of the cats will keep readers interested. Kenji Miyazawa's deep insight and kindness shine through in this touching work.
April 17, 2018
J'ai adoré ce petit recueil de contes, avec une écriture magnifique et poétique à la fois. Fidèles au style, les histoires sont à la fois magnifiques et terribles, tristes et belles. Malgré les différences culturelles que nous avons avec le Japon, elles sonnent juste pour n'importe qui encore aujourd'hui. J'avais un peu peur en commençant la lecture, de ne pouvoir comprendre à la fois la beauté du style et de l'écriture mais aussi les petites subtilités de style et de langage (on perd forcément toujours un peu avec une traduction), et si c'est probablement un peu le cas, ça ne gène en rien la lecture !!! Super !!! Je m'en vais de ce pas chercher d'autres titres du même auteur !
February 27, 2025
En général, j’aime beaucoup les recueils, car ils offrent différentes histoires et permettent donc de toucher un plus grand nombre de lecteurs. Pour autant, je suis passée à côté d’une grande majorité des histoires.
J’ai bien aimer le petit conte sur l’araignée, la limace et le blaireaux, et également le bureau des chats, mais en dehors de ces deux histoires, les autres ne m’ont pas marquées plus que ça, c’est dommage.
L’avantage reste quand même que la lecture se fait bien, et plutôt rapidement, mais personnellement je n’ai pas été emballée plus que ça
J’ai bien aimer le petit conte sur l’araignée, la limace et le blaireaux, et également le bureau des chats, mais en dehors de ces deux histoires, les autres ne m’ont pas marquées plus que ça, c’est dommage.
L’avantage reste quand même que la lecture se fait bien, et plutôt rapidement, mais personnellement je n’ai pas été emballée plus que ça
February 25, 2026
Acho que algures no tempo ouvi o RAP dizer algo como: “o único problema de um livro é o leitor”, possivelmente citando alguém inteligente e de quem não me recordo o nome. Este livro é a prova disso, não compreendi metade do que li e nem sempre apreciei a narrativa. Recorri a recursos para perceber a moral/mensagem de cada conto, meio como voltar aos tempos de escola. As fábulas de la fontaine complementar-se-iam muito bem com estas, para um cérebro ocidental menos enviesado. Tentarei ser melhor leitora no futuro
November 9, 2025
Je peux difficilement remettre en question la qualité de ce livre car je pense à présent que ce type de contes, et probablement tous les contes de manière générale, ne sont pas pour moi. J'ai tenu à lire ce recueil dans son intégralité parce qu'il est court et que je l'ai tout de même acheté (j'étais intriguée par son résumé), mais je n'ai vraiment pas pris beaucoup de plaisir à le finir. Jolie prose cependant.
April 20, 2020
En conclusion, je dirai que ce petit recueil était sympathique à découvrir, mais sans plus. À part l’histoire de l’araignée et ses compères ou le bureau des chats, j’oublierai rapidement les autres… D’ailleurs, je ne m’en souviens déjà quasiment plus.
https://psylook.kimengumi.fr/2020/04/...
https://psylook.kimengumi.fr/2020/04/...
May 8, 2019
a little too Jean de la Fontaine for me...
September 11, 2025
contos fofos
October 31, 2025
It’s a good book, a lot of different stories in one book, not gonna lie two stories actually made me cry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
Loved the first fable
February 6, 2026
kama and nighthawk i will avenge you both
March 11, 2016
Petits contes très poétiques et évocateurs, et parfois étranges. On sourit et on frissonne alternativement !
March 28, 2024
Un petit livre de contes japonais.
Plutôt sympa et rapide à lire.
Les contes sont légers et doux, même si le dernier était très triste à mon sens.
Plutôt sympa et rapide à lire.
Les contes sont légers et doux, même si le dernier était très triste à mon sens.
January 22, 2016
Très joli recueil de contes.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews