Hooked-Tailed Cats Abound in Nagasaki, Bringers of Good Luck

A feral bobtail cat takes shelter in a park in Nagasaki, located in southern Japan, on April 26. [AP/YONHAP]

In Japan, bobtail cats are seen as symbols of good fortune, and you can find these felines in Nagasaki, which is located in southern Japan.

They are known as

omagari neko

(bent-tail cats) or

kagi neko

(capture stray cats) and they boast their own community of fans as well as a dedicated Shinto shrine.

Their tails vary widely; they can be hooked at the end, curved, or styled like a bun,” said Kazuya Hideshima, who works at the Omagari Neko Shrine and is part of the Nagasaki Cat Society.

Previous research has shown that bobtailed cats made up approximately 80 percent of the feline population in Nagasaki, which is double their prevalence compared to other regions in Japan.

It is thought that Japanese cats originated from China during the sixth century when they were brought over by Buddhist monks. These felines served as rodent hunters, protecting sacred texts aboard vessels.

The origins of Nagasaki bobtails trace back to the Dutch East Indies period when Nagasaki served as Japan’s sole international trading hub during the nation’s isolationist era spanning the 17th through 19th centuries. These cats were known for hunting rodents to safeguard cargo traveling from Southeast Asia to Japan, as stated by local Nagasaki culture authorities.

Soshin Yamamoto, a veterinary doctor specializing in cats, suggested that the significant number of bobtailed cats in Nagasaki probably stems from a genetic alteration that thrived within an insulated setting during Japan’s period of national seclusion.

“Most cats can manage having bobtails without issues when they lead a regular lifestyle close to humans and avoid leaping and dashing around wildly like feral cats in the woods,” he explained.

Residents of Nagasaki hope the cats will attract visitors and boost local businesses.

Natsuno Kani, a 50-year-old visitor from Tokyo who recently explored the bobtail shrine, mentioned that she was aware Nagasaki is renowned for bobtailed cats.

However, Abigail Tarrasso, an artist hailing from Spain but residing in Takeo within the adjacent Saga Prefecture, had never encountered this particular species, which isn’t widely known in her home country.

“This is the first time I’ve encountered this in Nagasaki,” stated Cindy Bi, a U.S. artist. “I’m thrilled at the prospect of exploring and possibly spotting a few.”

AP