My proposal, response from Nick and plan based on the feedback:

Reading List:

Journals:

• Bakeneko: A look into the origins of Japan's supernatural cats.
• Feline shadows in the rising sun: cultural values of cat in pre-modern Japan.
• Japan's love-hate relationship with cats.

Websites:

• Business insider: Japan is obsessed with cats.
• Osusume Books: The place of cats in Japanese culture and literature.
• KCP international: Cats in Japanese culture and history.
• Medium: The cat in Japan.
• Tofugu: Ukiyo-e cats: felines in Japanese art.
• The great cat: Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
• Revere auctions: Cats in Japanese woodblock prints.