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A THREAD FOR CAT LOVERS
plum blossom scent
sends him off carousing...
lazy cat
梅がかにうかれ出けり不精猫
-小林一茶, 1808.
Kyōto is not particularly cat crazy, but there is a wealth of cat-inspired tales, sweets, charms & cuteness (or devilry) to be found. Let's explore!
THE CAT TEMPLE
Shōnen-ji (称念寺) is known as 'Neko-dera'( (猫寺), the 'Cat Temple'. Founded in 1606 by Gakuyo (嶽誉), the temple later became impoverished.
It was saved with cat magic and through the death of a princess.
This thread tells the tale
https://twitter.com/camelliakyoto/status/1272696649991589889?s=20
THE BECKONING CAT
Maneki-neko (招き猫) have become a global phenomenon, ushering good luck into homes and businesses for decades. The statues typically depict a seated calico Japanese Bobtail with one paw raised and the other holding a traditional 'koban' coin (小判).
#Japan
Gōtoku-ji's (豪徳寺) famous tale of a stray cat rescuing Lord Ii Naotaka (井伊直孝 1590-1659) from a lightning bolt, and restoring the fortunes of the Tōkyō temple, is thought to be the origin of Maneki-neko, though some people insist the 'beckoning cat' was born in Kyōto.
#Japan
#Japan
PROVERBIAL CATSThe first record we have of Maneki-neko dates to 1852, but they are certainly older than this. One idea is that the image evolved from a Japanese proverb which claimed that a cat washing its face indicated the imminent arrival of (unexpected) guests.
#Kyoto
The Chinese writer Duan Chengshi (段成式 ?–863) wrote 'If a cat raises its paw over the ears & washes its face, then patrons will come', suggesting a far older connection between cats & business.
Statues of cats washing their ears were being made in the Northern Wei Dynasty!
Statues of cats washing their ears were being made in the Northern Wei Dynasty!
SWEETS (PART 1)
There are *a lot* of cat-themed sweets in Japan, so I'm going to mention just a couple of stores, starting with my favourite...Tohō-en (稲豊園) in Hida, Gifu Prefecture (飛騨市/岐阜県).
Nekoko manjū (猫子まんじゅう).
https://tohoen.com/lineup/index.html
#Japan
A LITTLE LUCK
Omamori (お守り) are amulets sold at shrines & temples, typically as small brocade bags containing a prayer or invocation.
'Mamori' (守り) means 'protection', and there are commonly a range of Omamori for specific jobs, such as 'traffic safety', 'health' etc...
In recent years pet Omamori have become popular.
Each April & October Shonen-ji (称念寺) holds a memorial service for animals.
The temple also has an unusual amulet featuring a cat with hands together in prayer. It was designed by the chief priest, modeled on his own cat Miko.
Each April & October Shonen-ji (称念寺) holds a memorial service for animals.
The temple also has an unusual amulet featuring a cat with hands together in prayer. It was designed by the chief priest, modeled on his own cat Miko.
CAT FLAPSIn some older Kyōto houses you will occasionally see holes deliberately cut into Shōji (障子)...a simple door for cats!!!
Here's a short thread about Shōji
https://twitter.com/camelliakyoto/status/1290867128724119552?s=20
#Japan #cats #Kyoto #障子 #猫
FORTUNE TELLING
Because of their association with inviting good luck, cats are a popular choice of Omikuji holder.
Omikuji are sacred lots, chosen at random, with pre-printed fortunes.
This thread is about some of the MANY Omikuji you find in Kyōto
https://twitter.com/camelliakyoto/status/1352047385384345605?s=20
SWEETS (PART 2)
One cat-themed sweet I've wanted to try for some time are the marshmallow cats (マシュネコ) from Naka-dō (谷中堂) and Cafe Neko-e-mon (カフェ猫衛門) in Tōkyō.
https://www.yanakado.com/
#Japan #Tokyo
CAT YŌKAI
In past times it was commonly believed that some cats were capable of shape-shifting and performing magic. Blamed for all manner of devilry, it is not hard to see why felines were slightly feared, for unlike dogs, cats are often inscrutable & independent creatures.
I'll be sure to write a longer thread about 'supernatural cats' another time, but for today I'll quickly introduce the 2 types.
The first is 'Bakeneko' (化け猫 'changed cat'), capable of disguising themselves as humans (or possessing them), speaking, and manipulating the dead.
The first is 'Bakeneko' (化け猫 'changed cat'), capable of disguising themselves as humans (or possessing them), speaking, and manipulating the dead.
The 2nd type is 'Nekomata' (猫又). Some are wild & live in the mountains, others are domesticated cats that have transformed in old age. It's common for Nekomata to have 2 tails, distinguishing them from normal cats. They are considered more powerful & malevolent than Bakeneko.
FACE MASKS
Sliding a tiny bit of promotion into this thread.
Handmade face masks.
Cat patterns.
1,500 yen (including postage).
Worldwide delivery(ish).https://camelliamasks.square.site/shop/2
#Japan #Kyoto #facemasksforsale #facemasks #CamelliaKyoto
DOUBLE TROUBLEI have two cats called Hogarth and Percy. They are 10 years old, and are brothers.
They inspired this thread today.
TIGERS
Tigers feature prominently in Buddhist art & act as familiars to Bishamonten (毘沙門天), chief of the '4 Heavenly Kings' (四天王 'Shitennō'), god of warriors, and scourge of evildoers.
He first appeared in Japan on the hour & day of the tiger, in the year of the tiger.
Zen gardens often represent landscapes or Buddhist lessons.
It is said the Shōden-ji's, like that of the more famous Nanzen-ji & Ryōan-ji (both open to interpretation!), symbolizes the Chinese story of the mother tiger carrying her cubs across a river (獅子の児渡し庭園).
#Japan
It is said the Shōden-ji's, like that of the more famous Nanzen-ji & Ryōan-ji (both open to interpretation!), symbolizes the Chinese story of the mother tiger carrying her cubs across a river (獅子の児渡し庭園).
#Japan
'CROSSING OF THE TIGER CUBS' (虎の子渡し)
A mother tiger has to cross a river. She has 3 cubs, but can carry only 1 at a time.
1 cub was born a leopard and if left alone will devour the other cubs.
The riddle is an odd one, based on the Chinese tale Guixin Zashi (癸辛雑識).
It was believed that when a tiger gives birth to 3 cubs, one is always a leopard (ヒョウ).
In total, to bring all 3 cubs safely across the river, the tiger must cross the 7 times.
#Japan #Kyoto #tigers #Nanzenji #Ryoanji #Shodenji
In total, to bring all 3 cubs safely across the river, the tiger must cross the 7 times.
#Japan #Kyoto #tigers #Nanzenji #Ryoanji #Shodenji
THE WHITE TIGERMatsuno'o Taisha (松尾大社) is home to 'Byakko' (白虎 the 'White Tiger'), 1 of 4 animal guardians (四神 'Shishin'
) that protect Kyōto's cardinal directions. He guards the west.Here's a thread about the shrine
https://twitter.com/camelliakyoto/status/1250217801190494215?s=20
#Japan #Kyoto
SWEETS (PART 3)
Monaka (最中) is a Japanese sweet made of adzuki bean paste sandwiched between two thin crisp wafers made from mochi.
Some of the cutest I've eaten are 'Tarafuku-monaka' (たらふくもなか) from Tōkyō's 'Shirakaba' (白樺/錦糸町).
https://shirakaba.site/
#Japan
