Japanese Cat

Posted by Alfredo J. Martiz J. (Panama City, Panama) on 27 February 2008 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

Trying to understand why I see many cats in Tokyo, I started searching for answers and came upon the following information.

It is generally believed that the domestic cat arrived in Japan around 600 A.D. Interestingly enough, this is the same period of time when Buddhism was introduced to Japan. Like most ancient cultures, the Japanese valued cats primarily for their rodent catching abilities. In fact, it was customary that each Buddhist temple should care for no less than two cats in order to insure that sacrosanct documents would not be eaten by mice. It didn't take long for the cat to become a familiar and welcome creature in all aspects of Japanese society, from the royal court of the divine Emperor to the humblest of merchants. There's an interesting account of the Imperial cats, recorded by some unknown scribe who obviously saw a wonderfully important event in a rather commonplace occurrence: "On this date in the year 999, during the reign of our beloved Emperor Ichijo, five pure white kittens were born here in the Imperial Palace, much to the delight of his divine grace, the Emperor." With their sophisticated taste in simple artistic form, the Japanese saw the cat as a being of rare beauty, a creature to be honored and respected. However, not all Japanese respect the cat. In fact to some, cats were considered bad omens, untrustworthy and nefarious consorts to ghosts and demons. But for the most part, cats were loved and honored as positive entities. To this day cats are revered in Japan. Part of this has to do with the influence of Buddhism which respects all living things. In Tokyo there is a unique shrine dedicated to cats and cats alone. All over Japan there exist pet cemeteries where extravagant ceremonies are conducted for the soul of the cat. Cats are portrayed in art and poetry and even plays. Clearly the Japanese cherish their cats a great deal.
Reference: Japanese Cat Names

Ueno Park. February 16th, 2008

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