A day for black-and-white patterned cats!

Today, and March 20th annually, is Black‑and‑White Cat Day 白黒猫さんの日 in Japan. It is a commemorative day created by Tsukiji Factory, the company behind the charming “Shirokuro‑san Irasshai” project.

The date marks the 2017 launch of the website, which was designed by illustrator Chiharu Sakazaki and manga/“mubi‑shibai” artist Kenzo Hayakawa to deepen communication between people and the black‑and‑white cats they affectionately call shirokuro‑san. The site is a whimsical space filled with illustrations and photos that highlight the individuality of these cats - their patterns, personalities, quirks, and the small joys they bring into daily life.

Readers can submit a photo of their own black-and-white cat that is then turned into an illustration for the site. It is a niche market, but it seems to be popular with black-and-white cat owners and the creation of "Black-and-white cat day" has raised awareness about the site's existence.