In this panel we will take a look at the way that anthropomorphism is used in the works of Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) and Miyazawa Kenji (1896-1933), two very different voices in modern Japanese literature. Specifically we will be exploring Soseki's early novel "I Am A Cat" and how he used his nameless feline protagonist to observe and judge the intelligentsia of the day. We will also take a look at Miyazawa's original fairy tales and celebrate the way that he incorporated animal characters and used them to share his world view of unity and cooperation.