Published Apr 9, 2025
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
All around Japan, for centuries, cats – both the real-life furry pets, along with cartoon characters and mythical cats of folklore – have been revered animals in the culture.
Why do the Japanese love cats so much? One reason is that cats are a recurring character in Japanese folklore and pop culture; read on to learn about several of these feline characters.
Hello Kitty – one of the world’s most beloved cartoon cats, even though she technically isn’t a cat – has been the mascot for Japanese entertainment company Sanrio for five decades. Cats also have sacred ties to Buddhism, as they originally came to Japan from China with Buddhist monks, according to popular consensus. Another reason cats are so popular in Japan likely comes from simple practicality: The country is very densely populated and urbanized, with millions of people living in small apartments. This makes the housecat the purrfect pet for limited space.
Yet, as loved as felines are in Japan, many of the mythical Japanese cats of folklore are … well, not so lovable, and even downright sinister. Here are seven of these fictional creatures and myths.
1. Bakeneko
Do you think you have a feisty cat from hell? Hold this legendary Japanese cat’s beer.
Meet Bakeneko, which loosely translates to “shape-shifting cat.” This cat is believed to have the ability to turn into a demon when he wants to terrify his territory. The origins of this legend go back to the 17th century, when cats in Japan were valued for safeguarding the silkworm industry from vermin, and guarding sacred texts when Buddhism came to Japan. Bakeneko is said to be an otherwise ordinary-looking cat, at least when not in demon mode, as well as nocturnal and unpredictable. This cat is said to walk without making a sound, so the menacing feline sneaks up on people.
“Who knew that such innocent little fluffy creatures could be so devious?” a voiceover says in this YouTube video about Bakeneko.
Watch the 8-minute video for more information about the fascinating and frightening legend of the Bakeneko.
2. Kasha
Warning: It gets worse. In the general category of Bakeneko wicked cats, there is the Kasha – the villain of all cat villains. The Kasha, which translates to “fire cart,” is a bipedal feline that is so huge it could be larger than even a human. They often appear during stormy weather at night.
During funeral services, the Kasha of Japanese folklore will leap from the rooftop and snatch a corpse right out of the coffin. Yikes! Kashas have been believed to be messengers of hell who carry off the corpses of the wicked to the doomed afterlife. Sometimes, Kashas steal corpses to eat or animate as puppets. Oh my!
3. Nekomata
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
After two wretched mythological Japanese cats, here’s one that is a mixed bag: Nekomata, which means “two-tailed cat.” This feline starts as a regular cat, but as it ages, the cat’s tail splits into two. According to this 2-minute YouTube video, Nekomata’s extra tail gives it supernatural powers to do things like walk on two legs like a human and handle fire.
One belief holds that the Nekomata is a symbol of luck, protection, wisdom, and longevity. But, Nekomata has a dark side and is capable of hurting humans, so some Japanese people have burned incense to ward off any Nekomata in a bad mood.
4. Neko Danka
One legend from the Tohoku region of Japan goes like this: A very poor monk’s cat vanished from the temple. The monk’s cat then appeared to him in a dream and said something like this: “Not far away, there is a funeral at a rich man’s house, and I’m going to cause trouble there. If you speak this incarnation, I’ll stop, and the wealthy family will pay you well. Your temple shall prosper!”
And, the prophecy of Neko Danka came true: The poor temple prospered, and the monk gained famous spiritual powers!
I wish Neko Danka would visit me in my dreams and give me winning lottery numbers.
5. White Cats are Bad Luck
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
In many Western cultures, black cats are the victims of a ridiculous myth about being bad luck. In Japan, it’s the opposite: One legend claims that white cats bring bad luck!
This tale seems to come from some people’s perceptions of Nekomata and Bakeneko as having white coats. Since these cats are otherworldly and have many negative connotations, white cats became linked to misfortune and bad omens. Of course, we cat people know that any legend about a cat being bad luck, black or white or whatever color, is bunk!
6. Neko Musume
In this peculiar legend, the Neko Musume, which means “Cat Girl,” is a female cat-human hybrid. Supposedly, this creature resulted from a curse cats put on the shamisen instrument, which once used stretched cat hides for drums. As the story goes, a shamisen maker may be cursed with a Neko Musume instead of a human daughter. This offspring would be mute and eat rats. Egads!
7. Maneki-Neko
I saved this one for last so we could end on a purely positive note. The Maneki-Neko, which means “Beckoning Cat,” is the adorable statue that seems to be waving at you with the bobbing arm that you see at many Asian restaurants. (Actually, the Maneki-Neko, rather than waving at you, is beckoning you to come over, Japanese style.)
This cat, often white or gold, foretells fortune and good luck. Consider yourself blessed if you encounter a Maneki-Neko! While writing this article, I ordered a gold Maneki-Neko on eBay. Will the statue magically bring good fortune? I don’t know, but if anything, I will enjoy looking at the cute cat beckoning me.
