There are lots of cat-related items in Japan, and people tend to be fond of cats. This fondness may date well back in the past, since mice are a predator of silkworms, which the Japanese have raised for silk since long. Cats used to be protected to reduce the mouse population. Also, some Japanese legends relate cats to good fortune, which makes them popular. Maneki-neko is a symbol of good luck.
Kasha is a cat-like demon coming from the sky and taking away corpses. Other “cats” are downright ominous. Bakeneko are monster-cats that menace households, having some supernatural powers similar to the kitsune, fox, and tanuki, the raccoon dog. Especially old and/or heavy cats can transform into bakeneko. They can grow a second tail. This story, as well as that of an ancient cat that set its tail on fire and ran through the town, burning down many buildings, may have made people cut the cats’ tails off. Though the Japanese Bobtails, cats without tails, are considered to be a mutation.
One cat in Kurashiki City:
Osaka:
Near Osaka Castle:
Arima:
Nagasaki-ken:
Hikone:
Akashi fish market:
"Hello Kitty"!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbour has a beautiful cat that for some reason is living in my house whenever there is somebody in - when I come home, I find her on the outside couch on the back porch waiting for me. Sometimes she follows me all the way to the bus stop - weird... Normally I have no problem letting her in the house and she has slept in my bed many times.
Some time ago, I watched (by accident in the beginning, then I just wanted to see how it ends) a horror movie. It kind of wasn't directly about cats - and still... Scared me stiff for days and while this effect was on, I did not let the cat inside :)
Have a nice day :)
That's an interesting feeling and experience. Thank you for sharing. I am a dog-lover, in fact.
DeleteHave a nice Sunday! :-)