The bakeneko, the legend of the "monster cat" 化け猫

Le Bakeneko, un chat pas ordinaire

The Bakeneko, an unusual cat

Fudo Myo.com

A centuries-old superstition still very present today

At the origin of a centuries-old superstition, the bakeneko or "monster-cat" is both feared and celebrated...Its long tail allows it to stand up, and it is even said to have the gift of raising the dead! Today, a festival is held every year in his honor in the small Tokyo district of Kagurazaka!

 

Literally "cat-monster", the bakeneko is a yôkai (spirit of Japanese folklore) taking on the appearance of a long-tailed cat. This tail would allow it to walk on two legs, and some special abilities like speech, metamorphism, and even the resurrection of the dead!

On a slightly more horrifying note, a cat transformed into a bakeneko would even go so far as to kill its master to take his place and thus control the entire household!

But don't worry, not every cat is a bakeneko!

To become a bakeneko, a cat must meet certain criteria: be at least 13 years old, weigh more than 3.5 kg, and have an abnormally long tail. A characteristic that launched a fashion in the 17th century: the short-tailed cats!

Représentation d'un Bakeneko

Representation of a Bakeneko

wikia.com

Japanese bobtail, short-tailed cat

Japanese bobtail, short-tailed cat

Un défilé de Bakeneko à Kagurazaka

A Bakeneko parade in Kagurazaka

Flick/LSP Tokyo

Les enfants profitent aussi du festival

Children also enjoy the festival

Flick/LSP Tokyo

Latest Articles

L'artisanat traditionnel du Tohoku - les poupées Kokeshi

Traditional Arts & Crafts of Tohoku

Located north of the main island of the Japanese archipelago, the northern part of Honshu known as Tohoku has its own cultural identity and traditions passed down from generations for years.

Summer in Japan: Furin

5 tips for surviving the Japanese summer

With its temperatures reaching 40°C in the sun and its humidity... the Japanese summer can be unbearable when you are confronted with it for the first time.

Torii Gates

Shinto & Shrines

A guide for travellers to Japan on Shintoism and visiting shrines with information sourced from a 17th generation Shinto Priestess. 

See All (368)