If Yokai Were Cats

Amanojakuah-mah-noh-JAH-koo

Beneath the giant foot of a Four Heavenly Kings statue, a small red-black cat arches its back. With one forepaw it presses the sole upward, tail raised and face already reading your surprise. Amanojaku is a small demon that sees through the human heart and turns every word and deed contrary. It is the evil spirit normally crushed beneath a divine general's foot, but it has no intention of obeying even that rule.

Great Nyūdō (Giant Priest Apparition)oh-oh-nyoo-DOH

A colossal ink-black cat blocks the stone steps of a mountain temple, gate and all. It sets down a paw larger than the fallen lantern and gazes from above the cedartops through narrow golden eyes. Ōnyūdō is a giant apparition that grows the more you look up and can make anyone it glares at faint. The higher you raise your head to take in its whole body, the smaller your escape becomes.

Ryūjinryūjin

Amid raging waves, a cat with golden horns and blue scales lowers one forepaw to the water. Calm spreads in a circle from the jewel it touches, while the storm on one side already unravels into a bright sky. Ryūjin is the water deity who governs rain, sea, and tide. It may look like a cat batting a ball, but the fate of every boat offshore rolls with it.

Yamaubayah-mah-OO-bah

In a mountain hut during a thunderstorm, a giant cat with wild white hair offers edible plants and mushrooms. Its split mouth might be smiling; deep claw marks score the log beside it. Yamauba is both the ogress who eats travelers and the mountain mother who bestows nature's bounty. Before saying grace, one would like to know which face she is wearing tonight.

Issun-boshiEE-soon BOH-shee

On a beach at sunset, a cat no longer than a finger leaps at an enormous magic mallet. Beside it lie a bowl boat, a single chopstick, and a needle sword. Footprints that look like an oni's recede across the sand. Issun-bōshi is the hero of a rags-to-riches tale who reached the capital through wit far greater than his body and claimed an oni's treasure. At this size, no one is better at playing innocent.

Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider)TSOO-chee-GOO-moh

A giant cat crawls low from an ancient burial mound on Mount Katsuragi. Four spider legs grip the earth alongside its feline limbs; layers of white silk bind both the fallen sword and the darkness inside the hollow. Tsuchigumo is the spider monster that approached the ailing Minamoto no Raikō disguised as a monk and cast a thousand strands of silk. Before reaching for the sword, watch which moves first: paw or spider leg.

Akanameah-kah-nah-meh

In an old moonlit bathhouse, a russet cat hooks its claws over the tub. One long tongue extends from its mouth and methodically traces every patch of grime left on the wood. Akaname appears night after night in bathrooms neglected by their cleaners. Before you scream, remember: yesterday's dirt is probably what invited it.

Cat MaidenNEH-koh-moo-SOO-meh

In a lantern-lit town, a calico leaps from the second floor of a show tent to the tiled roof next door. Tongue peeking out, it spots a mouse under the eaves before any of its pursuers do. Neko-musume gained fame in Edo-period sideshows as a girl with catlike mannerisms. No explanation and no performance tonight: she is making her escape on genuine cat feet.

Wanyūdōwah-nyoo-DOH

A black cat rolls bodily down the broad avenue at night, curled into a perfect wheel. All four paw pads tuck inward while flames wrapped around its back scatter red sparks across the stones. Wanyūdō is a flaming cartwheel with a monk's face. It steals the souls of those who watch, so do not open the window thinking this is merely an adorable cat loaf.

Kawauso (Otter Yokai)kah-wah-OO-soh

A wet cat stands on a river piling by moonlight and blows a narrow breath toward a lantern flame. In the water below, not a cat but the hazy shape of a traveler is reflected. Kawauso are shape-shifting otters said to take human form, call to travelers at night, and extinguish their lights. Answer after darkness falls, and yours may be the next face on the water.

Suzaku (Vermilion Bird)Suzaku

A red cat sits atop the vermilion gate, spreading a pair of enormous wings across the sky. Flames rise from feather and tail without burning the roof, encircling only the calamities that come from the south. Suzaku is one of the Four Symbols, governing the south, summer, and fire. Beautiful enough to admire from below, certainly; if you plan to pet it, wait until after sunset.

TsukumogamiTsukumogami

A large calico walks through the moonlit town past a chipped jar, a mortar, a fan, and prayer beads. Inside its long shadow on the white wall, the old objects sprout limbs and begin their parade. Tsukumogami are spirits believed to inhabit objects after many years of use. If you remember throwing out a whole collection at once, you probably know where this cat is headed.

Kasha (Corpse-Dragging Fiend)KAH-shah

A wheel of fire opens over a cemetery in a thunderstorm as a black cat drives the claws of both forepaws into a coffin. Toppled lanterns and prayer beads remain behind while it carries the head of the funeral procession into the dark. Kasha is a monstrous cat apparition said to raid funerals and steal the bodies of sinners. When thunder sounds, hold down the coffin lid—chasing the cat can wait.

Bakenekobah-keh-NEH-koh

Once the household is asleep, a calico cat in a tenugui laps lamp oil with a long tongue. On the shoji, an enormous shadow has already begun dancing on two legs. A house cat that lives long enough may become a Bakeneko, able to speak human language and take human form. Its tail may still be single, but tonight's performance no longer belongs to an ordinary cat.

Kodama (Japanese Tree Spirit)kodama

From the roots of an ancient cedar bound with a sacred rope, a cat clothed in wood grain takes one step forward. Young branches sprout from its ears, and fallen leaves race into the valley as if following its cry. Kodama are spirits dwelling in old trees, answering as the voice of the mountain. If you heard one reply too many, the final call was not your own.

Blue Heron Fireah-oh-SAH-gee-bee

By the full-moon water, a blue-gray winged cat rests its forepaws against a willow trunk. Pale blue flame rises along the outline of its back and tail, softly illuminating feather and water alike. Aosagibi is the eerie glow said to appear around an aged black-crowned night heron after dark. From afar it resembles a ghost light; come closer, and two feline eyes look back.

Hakutaku (White Marsh)hah-koo-TAH-koo

A white cat studies an unfurled scroll through nine eyes set across its brow and flanks. Wisdom fills even the space between its two horns; not one gaze shows doubt. Hakutaku is an auspicious beast that knows every strange being and calamity in creation, and imparted that knowledge to humankind. If you mean to keep a secret, find somewhere hidden from all nine directions.

SandwormSAHND-wohrm

A colossal cat armored in scales bursts through the sea of sand. Beneath its feline face, concentric rows of teeth ring a circular mouth; underground, an impossibly long body coils. The sandworm swims through arid earth and closes on its prey by sensing vibrations above. You may soften your footsteps, but the sand will notice before the cat does.

Kama-itachikah-mah-ee-TAH-chee

A whirlwind tears across a snowy pass as a brown cat flicks one forepaw in midair. The next instant, rope and bamboo at the roadside are cleanly severed; only the dead leaves rise a beat too late. Kamaitachi is the feared phenomenon of a cutting wind that strikes people as it spins past. Once you see it, it is already too late—even the wound forgets to hurt for a while.

Amabieamabie

The night sea off Higo shines as a cat with blue scales and long wet fur climbs onto the rocks. It plants three fin-like legs on the stone and opens its mouth as though addressing the distant fishing lights. Amabie foretold rich harvests and epidemics, then instructed people to copy and show its image when disaster came. Don't run yet: take a good look and remember this feline face.

Byakko (White Tiger)Byakko

With the autumn sunset behind it, a giant white cat steps through the western gate. Black stripes and golden eyes watch the shrine grounds from end to end as dead leaves whirl past. Byakko, the White Tiger, is one of the Four Symbols and guardian of the west and autumn. Even as a cat, it keeps strict watch, leaving not a claw's width of opportunity to anything suspicious.

BakotsuBakotsu

A skeletal cat approaches one step at a time along an old road in the moonlight. Bones run the full length of its tail; on a stone marker beside it, only the horse it was in life is quietly carved. Bakotsu, named in an old Tosa text, is quite literally a walking horse skeleton. It has lost flesh and whinny alike, yet every bone seems to remember the road home.

Ittan-Momenittan momen

On a moonlit night in Satsuma, a white cat sails over the rice fields. From back to tail, its body unspools as long as a bolt of cloth, billowing in the wind until it fills the road. Ittan-momen is a white-cloth yokai that flies onto dark roads and wraps itself around a person's neck or face. The pounce may look perfectly feline, but catching this one is not advised.

NurarihyonNurarihyon

Before dinner in the tatami room, a long-headed cat settles into a neat loaf on a red cushion. One forepaw reaches toward the family's bowl; beyond the shoji, the household shadows have yet to notice a guest arrived. Nurarihyon walks uninvited into a busy home and relaxes as though he owns it. By the time you think to throw him out, you are the one who feels like a visitor.

Itsumadee-tsu-mah-deh

A black, catlike monster bird descends upon the moonlit palace with wings spread wide. Its long body twists, sharp talons reach out, and the same cry repeats through every breath of red vapor. The nameless bird that appeared over a plague-stricken capital in the Taiheiki was later called Itsumade after its cry. Until an answer comes, the question will not end tonight.

TenkoTenko

A golden cat sits atop a sacred peak, wreathed in a white tail that billows like cloud. The moon hangs to its left, the sun to its right. Eyes said to see a thousand leagues survey the world below in silence. Tenko is the highest order of fox, one that has lived a thousand years and gained access to heaven. It passed beyond delighting in human deception long ago; now it sees the pride of approaching visitors before they arrive.

Moon RabbitTSOO-kee-noh oo-SAH-ghee

Against the full moon, a white cat plants both forepaws at the mortar and pounds mochi. Beyond its rounded tail, only the shadow cast upon the moon pricks up a pair of long rabbit ears. The Moon Rabbit comes from the tale of a compassionate hare raised to the moon after offering its own life. Its body may have become feline, but there is no taking the night of the harvest moon off.

Iso-onnaiso-onna

At a windless dusk, a cat trails black hair into the sea as all four paws grip the stern line. A red stain marks its lips. Only one forepaw's length remains before it reaches the gunwale. Around Amakusa and Shimabara, Iso-onna is said to creep aboard along the rope, throw her hair over her victims, and drink their blood. There is good reason not to tie up in an unfamiliar harbor.

HannyaHannya

A sumptuous kosode lies crumpled on the floor as a white-faced cat digs its claws in before it. Two horns rise from its brow; beneath the black fur, a grief not yet extinguished lies deep. Hannya is the Noh mask of a woman's heart tipping into demonhood through jealousy and resentment. Run from the frightening face alone, and you will never know whom this cat had been waiting for.

Nekomataneh-koh-MAH-tah

Late at night, as the hearth fire burns low, a calico cat in a tenugui rises onto its hind legs. Behind it, a forked tail sways around a blue ghost flame, both halves dancing in time. Nekomata are house cats transformed by long life. The face may look the same by day, but its nighttime practice has long since surpassed mere human imitation.