Coatsworth's tale is set in a village in Japan at an unspecified time. This locale, however, is not as important to the story as the different settings specific to the Buddhist legends that the artist recalls. The inspired painting that the artist is able to create after taking in the cat acts as a backdrop for the narrative, for it is the central theme in the book.

By juxtaposing a realistic setting with an imaginary one, Coatsworth shows that the fables the artist relates have applications to everyday life.

Japan, for the most part, is a foreign culture for young readers. Coatsworth effectively reproduces Japanese traditions, art, and religion in a simple and direct manner. Therefore, the novel acts both as a fable and as an introduction to Asian legends and manners.