Think your cat’s got attitude? Wait till you meet the Nekomata! In Japanese folklore, these two-tailed felines take ‘cattitude’ to a whole new level, trading in yarn balls for dark magic and cannibalism.
This creature has retained an uncanny relevance in Japanese culture. It is said to have appeared in stories dating back to the Sui dynasty.
Although widely confused with the Bakaneko, we distinguish between the two figures while providing you with everything we could find on Nekomata, with a solid explanation of its relevance to Japanese folklore. Now, let’s get into it, shall we?
Key Takeaways
- Nekomatas are Shapeshifting cat Yokais that attack people.
- The Japanese believe any cat can become a Nekomata.
- There are two types of Nekomata: the Mountain Nekomata and the Household Nekomata.
- The Japanese cut the tail of their cats to prevent them from turning.
What is Nekomata?
The Nemomata is a monstrous, carnivorous yokai described in Japanese folklore and literature. These creatures are normal housecats that grow to a certain age and develop supernatural powers, which they use to torment humans.
The word “Nekomata” loosely translates to mean ‘Forked Cat.’ This unique name refers to the Japanese belief that these mythical cats develop two tails when transforming into Nekomatas.
In most tales, the paradoxical existence of these creatures is always highlighted. People have found it amazingly weird how your beloved pet, with all its charm, could innately possess the untamed essence of a supernatural being.
This duality reminds us of the possibility of a deep connection between humans and animals and the mysterious allure of the unknown beyond human comprehension.
Types of Nekomata
There are two main types of the Nekomata, each of which has unique physical attributes.
The Mountain Nekomata
This type of Nekomata is described as a cat with the body and strength of a large dog. It lives alone in the mountains and hunts travellers. The Japanese believe that the loud roars heard from the mountain come from these terrifying creatures.
Domestic cats that run away from their homes go into the mountain to become the Mountain Nekomata. These types of Nekomata are more powerful than the domestic cat Nekomata, although they are believed to have originated from them.
The House Cat Nekomata
This is the most common type of Nekomata in Japanese Mythology. Unlike the mountain Nekomata, the house cat Nekomata prefers to blend into human communities to stay undetected.
According to Japanese belief, after a cat reaches a certain age, it turns into this horrifying creature can continues to cause mischief in the house. It can even go as far as killing family members, hiding the body, and taking the form of its victim to cause more trouble.
Powers and Abilities of the Nekomata
Have you ever thought that when you are gazing into the eyes of your cute little cat, you might be gazing into the eyes of an ancient spirit that can control your mind?
When the Nekomata finally transforms, it acquires several supernatural powers, the most popular of which is shape-shifting. According to legends, this creature can remain undetected for years without being detected.
Nekomatas can also reanimate corpses for their evil intentions. They do this by crossing over the corpse. Reanimated corpses are used to blackmail or trick people into compromising positions that put them at the mercy of the creature.
Other recorded powers of the Nekomata include;
- Speaking Human Languages
- Starting house fires
- Control Minds
Nekomata vs Bakeneko
Many people confuse the Nekomata with the Bakeneko, another Japanese shape-shifting cat yokai. However, these two creatures have unique attributes that make them entirely different.
One major difference between the Nekomata and the Bakeneko is in their tails. While the Nekomata is known to have two tails, the Bateneko has only one.
Also, although these two cats develop powers as they age, the Bakeneko is more mischievous than dangerous. Unlike the Nekomata, not all Bakeneko are evil. There are even stories of them providing protection to people who treated them well.
Finally, the Nekomata are significantly more powerful than the Bakeneko. This is consistent with the Japanese belief that more tails equals more power.
Click here to read more about the Bakeneko
How to defeat a Nekomata.
Treat your Cat Well
The easiest way to defeat a Nekomata is to treat your cat well. According to Japanese beliefs, cats are more likely to transform if their owners abuse them. The negative emotions that build up in abused cats can hasten the transformation process. When these cats finally transform, they are out for revenge.
Treating your cat well will ensure that you are not in its crosshairs, even if it finally turns.
Docking your Cat’s Tail
Although it is no longer acceptable to dock your cat’s tail without a valid medical reason, the Japanese believed this was an effective way to prevent a Nekomata. Since the power of the creature was in its tail, cutting the tail early prevented the cat from turning.
The widespread cutting of cat tails to prevent the Nekomata led to the emergence of the Japanese Bobtail cat breed.
Attack with Sharp weapons
The Nekomata is only formidable when it is undetected. As soon as it is detected, it can be attacked and killed with classic weapons like swords, arrows, and knives. Fire is also a good way to get rid of the Nekomata.