How did cats become so popular in Japan?

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Kerstin Chow asked a question: How did cats become so popular in Japan?
Asked By: Kerstin Chow
Date created: Thu, Sep 8, 2022 9:48 AM
Date updated: Fri, May 31, 2024 22:13 PM

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Video answer: Cats and Japan - Japanology Plus

Cats and Japan - Japanology Plus

Best answer to the question «How did cats become so popular in Japan?»

Cats first arrived in Japan around 500 CE as stowaways on ships returning from China, where the animals had already been domesticated for centuries. They were quickly adopted in Buddhist temples by the resident monks, who deemed them protectors of their manuscripts (the books were written on parchment, a favorite food of mice).

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «How did cats become so popular in Japan?» often ask the following questions:

đŸ˜» Why are cats so valuable in Japan?

While cats were initially traded as priceless objects in Japan, unlike gold or gems or rare silks, these treasures were capable of doing something other valuables could not—multiplying. Cats made more cats. Over the centuries, cats bred and spread until by the 12th century they were common all over the island.

đŸ˜» Do cats exist in Japan?

Cats are everywhere in Japan. While it is easy to see they are well-loved, Japan also fears cats. The country has a long, often terrifying history of folklore involving monstrous supernatural cats. Japan’s magic catlore is wide and deep—range from the fanciful, magical shapeshifters (bakeneko) to the horrendous demonic corpse-eaters (kasha).

    đŸ˜» What is the best cat for a Japanese apartment?

    One of the most popular cat breeds in japanese apartments is the Scottish Fold, a short-haired variety (or mid-length as Highland Fold) whose characteristic is that its ears are naturally folded forward. These kawaii (cute) hairballs are the stars of japanese blogs and related products.

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    What’s The Story Behind Japan’s Lucky Cats?

    Your Answer

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    From birth, the Japanese are introduced to Hello Kitty and friends. Children's attractions often have cat mascots, including this Ikebukuro Sunshine City pop-up. Hello Kitty appears on the most unexpected of products, like a popcorn machine. Yes, there's even a Hello Kitty amusement park: Sanrio Puroland.
    How did the Persian cat become so popular?
    In the mid-1800s, Queen Victoria forever changed the Persian breed when she acquired Persian cats of her own. This exploded the breed’s popularity; something that never died out.
    When did cats become so popular?
    Not until the 1600s did the public image of cats begin to rally in the West. Nowadays, of course, cats are superstars: the protagonists of comic strips and television shows. By the mid-90s, cat services and products had become a billion-dollar industry.
    Why is Japan so obsessed with cats?
    Japan is known for its love of animal themed attractions, from rabbit cafes in Tokyo, to the tame deer that wander around Nara and the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, that bathe in hot springs. It has also become popular to give cats job roles, such as appointing cats as Lords of castles and managers of train stations to attract tourism.

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    WHAT, WHERE, WHY, & HOW: Japan is the perfect place for cat lovers. How did cats become so popular with humans?
    Thousands of years ago when humans began to grow their own crops, mice and rats began to become a problem in the storing of these foodstuffs. The cat’s ability to kill rodents with ease and their apparent acceptance of humans meant that they were welcomed into people’s homes.
    How did the British Shorthair become popular?
    That outlook changed in 1871, when animal illustrator Harrison Weir organized the first modern cat show at London's Crystal Palace. Weir devised anatomical standards by which event judges could evaluate cats of many different breeds — including the British shorthair. By then, these animals had already become entrenched in popular culture.
    How did cats become so popular as pets?
    Cats quickly became hugely popular as pets in America. By the 1800s cats were very popular as pets across the world. London was home to the first cat show in 1871 and The National Cat Club of Great Britain (the first cat association) was formed in 1887.
    When did cats become popular in the UK?
    By the 1500’s cats had regained their popularity and were about to make another huge leap. New world traders and explorers left Britain and Spain during the 1600’s and 1700’s which lead to the introduction of domestic cats in America. The cat has become so popular that there is now around 8.5 million pet cats in the UK alone.
    When did the Korat cat become popular?
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    Why are cats so popular in Japan?
    In 1602, an imperial decree set free all cats in Japan, intending to capitalize on the felines’ natural ability for pest control, especially in the sericulture community. After the decline of the silk trade, cats by extension remained as talismans for a business’s prosperity.

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    The Sad Reality of Japan's Famous Cat Island | Aoshima How do cat cafes work?
    Cat cafes are public spaces where people can pay to hang out with cats. There's usually a food and drink element too. Smithsonian Magazine says the first cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998, although the establishments have since become most popular in Japan, which has more than 150 such establishments.
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    Originating from Thailand (formerly Siam), the Siamese cat was not a popular breed in the United States until the early 1900s. Not many people appreciated the Siamese cat’s unusual appearance:
    What is the most popular good luck charm in Japan?
    Of course it stands to reason, then, that the most popular good luck charm would feature a feline! The maneki-neko is thought to be dated all the way back to 1852 during the Edo period of Japan. As such, the Lucky Cat was originally named “Edo”.
    How did the Japanese bobtail cat become so popular?
    They co-wrote the breed standard and co-founded the Japanese Bobtail Cat Club. They were able to recruit more breeders interested in the beautiful breed, imported more cats and expanded the breed's gene pool. As more fanciers became intrigued by the lovely breed, acceptance in the cat fancy world began.
    Why are goats so popular on the Internet?
    But in some African countries, goats are the most popular pet, so they embody cuteness. Because the US and Japan dominate Internet culture, cats dominate the Internet. (Can you just imagine if goats took over the internet instead?) As the demographics of the Internet change, so will its memes and fetishes.
    When did cats with ears that curl backwards become popular?
    They became popular in 1983, and by 1986 they were recognized by three of the largest North American cat registries. In June 1981 two cats with ears that curled backwards arrived on the doorstep of a couple in Lakewood, California.
    When did the curly ear cat become a breed?
    From 1983, cat fanciers began deliberately breeding curly ear cats, and the new breed was named the American Curl in 1986. Today, the breed has become popular throughout the United States and has been exported to many other countries around the world.
    How did a calico cat save Japan’s railway station?
    Calicoes are brave – A calico cat saved Japan’s railway station from being closed down. In 2007, the Kinokawa train station was about to be closed due to budget issues. As a last resort, the town sent a local calico cat to be station master, where she would greet passengers as they passed by.

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