In case anyone is wondering what is happening in the first panel of page 7, it's kiribi (切り火), a Japanese custom of bringing good luck to, or warding off evil from, someone leaving home. Using a flint and steel, you strike sparks in their direction.
I wonder if it has anything to do with the story of the lucky cat? Where the emperor was travelling and when it started raining, the emperor and his men took cover under the rain. During that time, the emperor noticed a cat who was beckoning him over with one paw (who was sheltering underneath the temple?). The emperor decided to come over and as soon as he did, lightning struck down at the tree which would've killed the emperor.
(this is just straight up from my memory so I may have some details wrong here and there)
Wonder if any of the cats have anything to do with that legend?