Mao-Miu-Min the Imperial cat and all the cats in Japan are collared and leashed by royal decree, although he and Emperor's son So-Su-Si know they should be loose to catch mice and rats. When the Empress loses her rare black pearl earring, Mao-Miu-Min, breaking away, pounces on it just before a mouse can push it into his hole, thereby winning freedom for all the cats in Japan. A travesty of ancient Japan and no nip to this cat.