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The Cat's Meow: Why Japan Adores Its Feline Friends
In Japan, cats are seen as more than cute and cuddly pets. They’re spiritual beings who are as likely to bring you good luck as they are to curse you.
The Japanese love-hate relationship with cats has been no secret. However, we’re about to reveal the reasons behind this curious obsession by exploring ancient history and modern perceptions of cats in Japan.
Introduction:
You’ll find cats in nearly every household in Japan. Statistics from 2023 show that there are over 9 million pet cats in the country. Families from different social classes have cats. It is obvious that the nation's residents adore the creatures.
You can see this love reflected in pop culture with iconic kawaii characters like Hello Kitty. A more traditional piece of evidence would be the use of maneki-neko (lucky cat) figurines. However, cats are also feared. There have been several historic folklores and tales about supernatural cat-like yokai (Japanese monsters) doing unspeakable things to humans.
For good or for evil, cats have cemented their places in the hearts of the Japanese population forever. Cat-themed products and locations occupy a sizable chunk of the country’s economy. Anyone can see that cats have integrated into various aspects of Japanese daily life.
In this post, we’ll go into detail about the cats in Japanese culture, history, folklore, media, and everyday life. Let’s dive in!
The Historical Journey of Cats in Japan
It’s hard to paint a clear picture of when cats first appeared in Japan. The most popular theory is that they arrived during a period between 538 and 552 AD. This was the same period that Buddhism arrived in Japan, so the common belief is that monks used these cats to protect sacred scriptures from mice. Another theory states that they came to Japan in the Nara Period (710–784 AD), a time of great development for Buddhism in the country. Another likely piece of unconfirmed history is that the cats were traded as expensive favors between emperors and lords.
We can, however, tell you that Japanese domestic cats originated in India but came to Japan from China. This claim is backed by the earliest record of a Japanese domesticated cat, which can be found in the diary of then-22-year-old Emperor Uda. In the document, he writes about a black cat he received from China.
In the 10th century, cats like Emperor Ichijo’s Myobu no Otodo were known to have special court ranks. Servants had to wait on these creatures and take care of them as they would royalty. Those were the early days of the Japanese obsession with these fluffy creatures.
Cats are good breeders, so as the centuries passed, they multiplied across the country. By the turn of the 12th century, people no longer saw them as exotic. Both emperors and peasants have them now. During this period, legends and tales of supernatural cats began to appear. These stories would then be depicted in traditional arts during the 17th century, further cementing the cultural symbolism of cats in Japan.
Cats and Japanese Folklore
Supernatural cats, or kaibyo, have been woven into Japanese folklore since the 12th century. Tales passed down from one generation to another still exist today. Let’s take a look at the three main stories that offer the most common concepts of traditional Japanese “catlore.”
Maneki-neko (the beckoning cat): Maneki-neko is a popular figurine that depicts a cat with one paw raised in a beckoning signal. The common belief is that the figurine brings good luck. You’ll find it in households, outside businesses, and in the form of piggy banks.
Bakeneko: This is a cat-like yokai with a single tail, just like a domestic cat. It often appears in folk stories as an evil shapeshifter with the ability to speak and lay deadly curses. The most famous story is The Tale of Takasu Genbei, where a man discovered that his pet cat was actually a bakeneko after it had killed, eaten, and impersonated his mother.
Nekomata: This is a yokai similar to the bakeneko but with two tails. They can either be mountain nekomata or domestic cats that grew old and transformed into nekomata. The mountain nekomata are often depicted as cat-like beasts in traditional art, while the domestic nekomata are cat-human hybrids who pretend to be women and wear geisha clothing.
Kasha: This grave-robbing yokai would steal corpses after they were buried and sometimes during the funeral. They’re often depicted as having a cat’s head, a tiger's body, and a burning tail.
Why Cats Are Beloved in Japan
There are many reasons behind the widespread love for cats in Japan. The most obvious one is their cuteness. In a country where cute or kawaii culture is widespread, it’s little wonder that people value cats for their beauty and cuteness. The graceful, elegant, and charming nature of the creatures only makes them more appealing. With the rise of social media in Japan, many people post pictures of their cute cats, which makes others want to have cats.
Cats are also easier to maintain than dogs and other pets. They’re independent and can function well in small spaces, a trait that allows people in urban areas of Japan to keep cats in small apartments. You don’t need to take them out for a walk several times a day or train them for years to use a litter box.
Cultural beliefs are another major reason cats are so loved in Japan. They’re often associated with positive symbolism such as good luck, prosperity, and protection from evil. Talismans like the maneki-neko have been fueling these beliefs for centuries.
Cats in Modern Japanese Media
The representation of cats in modern Japanese media has been mostly positive. Media companies like Sanrio and Shin-Ei have tapped into the love for cats in Japan and produced highly successful anime and manga characters.
Hello Kitty is one of the most popular fictional feline characters in Japanese media. Owned by Sanrio, she and friends from the “sanrioverse” are loved by children all over the world. You can catch Hello Kitty in anime, video games, comics, musicals, and merchandise stores.
Luna, the talking cat, is another famous fictional creature from Japanese media. She appears in several episodes of Sailor Moon, an anime and manga series in which she plays a vital role. Luna is a sidekick to Usagi Tsukino, the main protagonist.
The adorable Doraemon may not look like a cat to an oblivious viewer, but fans of the famous anime know him as a time-travelling kitty with a quirky personality.
Cat Cafés: A Unique Urban Haven
Cat cafes are basically themed coffee shops with cats as the main attractions. Most countries in Asia, Europe, and North America all have cat cafes. People pay to visit these cafes and spend time with the different cats on display while drinking beverages. Although the concept of cat cafes originated in Taipei, Taiwan, Japan has embraced it a lot more strongly than many other countries.
Tokyo has nearly 60 cat cafes where visitors can interact with cats. Some of them only display cats with specific traits, such as black cats, small cats, or fat cats. A few of them act as sanctuaries for stray cats in the busy city. Japanese cat cafes follow very strict cleanliness guidelines, and all of the animals are properly cared for, which is why they have flourished over the years.
Symbolism of Cats in Japanese Culture
Different kinds of cats are attributed to various symbolic meanings in Japan. For example, the Japanese bobtail symbolizes wealth and good fortune. It’s also the breed most portrayed as the maneki neko, the globally recognized symbol for good luck, prosperity, and protection from evil. There are many stories about the origins of “the beckoning cat.” One of them is the story of a feudal lord who was resting under a tree when he saw a cat waving with his paw. The lord approached the cat and as soon as he left the shade, a bolt of lightning struck the tree.
Black cats, irrespective of their breed, also have their own symbolic meaning in Japan. The general belief is that they bring desirable suitors to unmarried women. We can’t say for sure if these fluffy animals do what traditional symbolism claims. But we do know some real-life cases of fantastic cats.
Famous Real-Life Cats in Japan
Let’s get acquainted with famous real-life cats in Japan. These cute felines are beloved not just in the country but all over the world, thanks to social media.
Tama: Born in 1999, Tama is famous for her appointment as stationmaster and operating officer at Kishi Station in 2007. Before she was appointed, the station struggled financially. The president of Wakayama Electric Railway allowed stray cats to live at the station because he considered Tama to be a beckoning cat. After she became stationmaster, the station experienced a sharp increase in passengers. Her task was simply to greet the passengers at the entrance of the station. Tama passed away in 2015.
Maru: He is a male cat that owns a Youtube channel (@mugumogu) with over 800k subscribers. Maru’s videos have garnered hundreds of millions of views, and she once held the Guinness World Record for the animal with the most YouTube video views. Maru is the most famous cat in Japan and on the internet.
Shiro: He is another internet sensation. Shiro is famous for being chill and relaxed almost constantly. Shiro’s YouTube channel (@shironekoshiro) has more than 300k subscribers. In his videos, there’s always a pile of random items on his head.
The Economic Impact of Cats
The love of both real and made-up cats has financial advantages, as Tama and Hello Kitty have shown. In Japan, these feline creatures have had a major economic impact on tourism and merchandising. There are about a dozen cat islands (Nekojima) in Japan, which are famous for having a large number of stray cats. These islands are major tourist destinations for cat lovers.
People in Japan also spend a lot of money buying cat-themed products from mega companies like Sanrio and small family-owned businesses. Figurines and talismans of beckoning cats are another hot commodity. Some of the more expensive versions come with a mechanical paw that literally waves. The feline influence on the anime, manga, and video game industries has been just as lucrative.
Cultural Festivals Celebrating Cats
Japan is one of the few countries in the world where cats have their own national holiday. On February 22, every year, Japan celebrates Neko no Hi or Cat Day. People on the streets pose for photos with their cats and share them on social media. Restaurants and cafes also sell delicious cat-themed foods.
Since 2014, Tokyo has hosted a celebration from February 11 to March 1, known as the Yushima Cat Festival. Hence, events often coincide with National Cat Day. The festival features a gathering of thousands of cat lovers at the Yushima Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo.
Cats and Japanese Lifestyle Integration
As one of the most urbanized nations on the planet, the living arrangements of people in Japan restrict their pet ownership options. Since the majority of Japanese citizens live in small apartments, cats are the perfect choice. They are small and can function indoors. Also, the busy work culture in the country makes it hard to find time to regularly socialize with pets. They also have minimal time to care for pets. Thankfully, the independent nature of cats makes this a small issue. People who don’t feel ready for parenthood trust that when they get home after a stressful day, their cats will be waiting to provide companionship.
Conclusion
Cats in Japan have transcended their role as pets to become integral to Japanese cultural identity and daily life. It’s almost impossible to see any other animal take their place as the country’s most beloved pet.
Appreciate a cat lover today by giving them a gift from Bokku Boutique. We have several options to choose from, including The Cat Lover's Box and cat-themed beverages.
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