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The Enigmatic Cat Yokai: Unveiling the Bakeneko's Mysteries in Japanese Lore
The bakeneko may resemble a cat, but its behavior is nothing like that of the cute and friendly creature we love. According to the legend, if your cat lives long enough, it becomes this Japanese demon. Read on to discover the truth about the bakeneko and other cat yokai.
Introduction:
The word “ÿokai” is the Japanese term for any supernatural being or spirit. These beings included ghosts, monsters, demons, and shapeshifters. Rather than spend their day in the spirit realm, yokai would rather spend time causing mischief in our world.
Different kinds of yokai regularly appear in Japanese folklore. Some, like Oni and Nurikabe, have completely unique appearances. However, others are supernatural variants of animals. Examples of animal-like yokai include kitsune (fox), kappa (turtle), and tengu (bird).
In this post, we’ll be focusing on bakeneko, one of several types of cat yokai in Japanese folklore. The bakeneko looks exactly like a domestic cat. If you saw one on the street, you wouldn’t think twice. Despite its mundane appearance, bakeneko possesses supernatural powers, particularly the ability to shapeshift into humans and speak our languages.
In Japanese culture, bakeneko is not a friendly monster. Folklore from different eras has given it the reputation of being a great deceiver and murderer who feeds on the corpses of humans and other animals.
Origins and Identity of the Cat Yokai
Cats are considered highly spiritual creatures in Japan. Hence, it makes sense that they make up a sizable portion of the yokai population.
Some are friendly and bring good luck, like maneki-neko. Others are terrifying yokai, like bakeneko, nekomata, and kasha. People in ancient times believed cats were supernatural because of their unusual traits, such as the ability of their pupils to change shape, their silent walk, and their otherworldly personalities.
Although cats had been a part of society since 538–552 A.D., stories about their supernatural alter egos would not appear until the 12th century. It started with myths about nekomata, a cat yokai similar to modern bakeneko. The only difference in their appearance is that nekomata have two tails, while bakeneko have one.
In the 17th century, Japan experienced an art boom. Creative minds used the opportunity to create tales about magical creatures and monsters. Bakeneko first appeared in their work around this time.
The lore stated that cats who lived for an abnormally long time would eventually transform into bakeneko, kill their owners, and impersonate them by shapeshifting. There was also the belief that they loved to lick lamp oil and blood. Artists and storytellers depicted the yokai pretending to be courtesans and famous celebrities.
Transformative Powers: Bakeneko's Abilities
Based on Japanese mythology, bakenekos start off as regular house cats with no special abilities. A common trope in the country’s folklore is that animals that live for an exceptionally long time develop supernatural abilities. This theory applies to bakeneko. After living on earth for a long time, a cat may transform into a bakeneko and develop the following abilities:
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Shapeshifting: Bakeneko can transform into humans. In most cases, they love to shapeshift into their owners after killing them. Years of living with humans may have given them sufficient understanding of our behavior, but they can’t shed their catlike mannerisms, which often give them away.
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Dancing: Cats are graceful creatures, and this translates into bakeneko's reputation as terrific dances, even in human form. They can also stand upright on their hind legs.
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Speech: Bakeneko speaks human languages.
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Supernatural consumption: These supernatural felines eat food much larger than their size. They can also consume poisonous substances with ease. In fact, one of their favorite foods is poison.
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Cursing: They can lay curses on people. People suffering from a cat’s curse will experience great misfortune and even death.
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Pyrokinesis: These yokai can start fires by summoning fireballs or igniting flammable items with their tails.
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Controlling corpses: The cats possess the ability to reanimate dead bodies for a short while and have them do their bidding.
Nekomata vs. Bakeneko: Distinguishing the Legends
Nekomata and bakeneko are the two most closely related counterparts among the types of cat yokai. They both look like regular cats and share similar personality traits and magical powers. In fact, many believe that nekomata are a type of bakeneko.
The biggest difference between a nekomata and a bakeneko is that nekomata have two tails, while bakeneko have only one tail. Also, nekomata is significantly more powerful than bakeneko, a concept that’s consistent with the Japanese mythological logic of more tails equaling more power.
Bakeneko may commit evil acts, but they’re often depicted as neutral creatures who do so to satisfy their natural whim for mischief. There have even been stories in which cats become friendly bakeneko if their owners treat them well during their time as cats.
Nekomata, on the other hand, share no such sentiments. They are evil creatures of spite who take wicked delight in destroying lives and properties. The mountain version of the yokai is a large beast with sharp claws and looks nothing like a bakeneko.
Cultural Impact Across Centuries
The Edo period (1603–1868) is considered by many to be the golden age of traditional Japanese art, and mystical cats had a massive influence in that era. This was the period of the arrival of the first printing presses in the country. Writers were eager to tell ghost stories about cats to excitable audiences, suggesting that there was a chance their beloved pet could murder them in their sleep and eat their flesh. They published many essays and recited narratives (kaidan) to that effect.
Ukiyoe woodblock artists were only too happy to bring such stories to life by creating colorful depictions. They depicted bakeneko and other mystical cats in scenarios that ranged from comical to grotesque. Kabuki theater was not left out, as plays with supernatural elements were popular at the time.
The demon cats remained iconic figures throughout the next century. Two popular actresses in the 20th century, Takako Irie and Sumiko Suzuki, became famous for their roles as bakeneko in kaidan films. Today, you can still see kabuki plays based on cat yokai tales and legends.
Iconic Tales of Supernatural Cats
It’s time to explore some compelling stories and legends that feature these enigmatic felines. The following are iconic tales of bakeneko and other cat yokai interacting with the natural world.
The Tale of Takasu Genbei
Takasu Genbei noticed that his mother had been acting strange ever since their house cat went missing. One day, he decided to spy on her room. Takasu saw a cat-like monster (bakeneko) dressed as his mother eating the flesh of a dead animal. He kills the monster and it transforms into their missing cat. He also found his mother’s dead corpse underneath the floorboards. All of her flesh had been eaten.
The Legend of Nabeshima Bakeneko Disturbance
During the early Edo era, daimyo Nabeshima Mitsushige executed his retainer, Ryūzōji Matashichirō, for displeasing him. Ryūzōji's mother expressed her sorrow to her pet cat before committing suicide. The cat transformed into a bakeneko and tormented Mitsushige and his family in their castle every night. Ultimately, another retainer named Komori Hanzaemon killed the monster cat.
The Story of the Samurai’s Haunted House
An unknown author created this ghost story in 1708. Once upon a time, a wealthy samurai struggled to find peace because a malicious spirit haunted his home. He tasked several priests and shamans with getting rid of the spirit, but they all failed. One day, a servant noticed that his master’s cat was carrying a small ghost (shikigami) in his mouth. He also realized that his master’s name was imprinted on the ghost. He killed the cat with an arrow and it died, revealing its two tails—a sign that it was a nekomata. The disturbances stopped with the death of the creature.
Guardians or Tricksters? The Dual Roles of Cat Spirits
If we are to analyze the dualistic nature of cat yokai, we should only consider the three most common kabiyo: maneki-neko, nekomata, and bakeneko. These three creatures reflect the broader theme of good and evil in Japanese spiritual beliefs.
Maneki-neko is a good cat spirit. It represents good luck and prosperity while serving as a guardian for its owners. Every tale or legend told of the lucky cat is one of kindness and protection from evil.
Nekomata is no doubt the evil cat spirit. It represents the dark side of nature, wickedness, and chaos. You’ll find it extremely difficult to find a favorable depiction of this spirit.
Bakeneko is a neutral cat spirit. The creature seems to show traits of being a protector and trickster. In that way, we believe it best represents the dualistic nature of cat yokai.
The Cat Yokai in Contemporary Media
In the 1990s, there was a trend toward Japanese horror films and shows with cat spirits, creating an entire subgenre of ghost cat horror movies. Production company Daiei Film was at the forefront of this trend, producing several “Ghost Cat” movies in the 20th century. These films were popular before World War II but saw a massive decline in viewership after the war. The most likely reason for this decline was that the general belief in cat spirits wasn’t as strong. Hence, the films were no longer as scary.
Storybooks about cat yokai were published as a collection of folktales, particularly in the 16th century. Famous examples are Taihei Hyakumonogatari (1723) and Rōō Chabanashi (1742).
Touring Japan's Cat Spirit Landmarks
If you’re in Japan, there are several temples, museums, and annual festivals renowned for their connections to supernatural cat folklore. Let’s explore a few of them below:
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Yahiko-jinja: This temple is located in Niigata Prefecture. The cat deity Myōtaraten is worshipped here. Legend has it that the yokai once killed and devoured an old woman. After spending some time impersonating her, it changed its mind and revealed its true form.
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Odoriba Intersection: In the Izumi-ku ward, Yokohama City, there is an intersection dedicated to a dancing cat. According to the legend, a shopkeeper noticed his napkins were disappearing. One night, as he reached an intersection, he stumbled on his pet cat wearing a napkin on its head and dancing to bustling music in the presence of several cats.
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Neko Daimyōjin Shi: Located in Shiroishi town, Kishima District, this shrine is famous for having an engraving of a seven-tailed cat. The story behind this landmark is similar to that of the “Nabeshima Bakeneko Disturbance.”
Conclusion
Legendary cat spirits like the bakeneko, maneki-neko, and nekomata have contributed a great deal to traditional views of cats. They reflect the dual nature of animals through folklore and mythology, and the stories they tell have a timeless appeal.
Other countries have their own share of demon cat tales, including the United States and the story of the cats in the Capitol Building.
Share your love for Japanese culture by offering loved ones a gift from Bokksu Boutique. Our collection has all kinds of authentic Asian products that will make fantastic gifts!
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