Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: Okazaki Cat Monster, Spirit of the Maruko Cat Stone
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Okazaki-ba-neko first appears as an old woman wearing a twelve-layered kimono that had served as a burial shroud. She is accompanied by two pet cats that stand upright and dance, while she extends an unnaturally long tongue to lick oil from a lamp. Later she reveals her true form as a monstrous cat and finally transforms into a Kasha after emerging from the Cat Stone.
Osode traveled with her husband, Nakano Tosuke, and their infant child in search of her elder sister Omatsu, who had sold herself to earn money for their mother’s medicine. Unable to find a place to stay, they were led by their acquaintance Okura to an abandoned temple outside the post town.
Inside the temple, Osode encountered her mother, who was believed to have died of illness. The old woman was actually the monster cat in disguise. Okura witnessed the two pet cats standing on their hind legs and dancing while the old woman licked oil from a lamp with her long tongue. Because Okura had been born in the Year of the Rat, she was devoured by the cat.
At the same time, the ghost of Omatsu appeared before Osode and Fujisuke. It was revealed that Osode had unknowingly cursed her own sister, believing her to be a rival for Fujisuke’s affection. The curse disfigured Omatsu’s face, causing her to wander in search of a buyer before she was eventually murdered by Akahori Mizuemon. After learning the truth, Fujisuke declared he would divorce Osode. Overcome with despair, Osode died on the spot.
A monstrous hand then reached through a shoji screen, dragging away Osode’s body and her infant child. Behind the screen, the old cat-woman devoured them before revealing herself as the combined spirit of the Cat Stone and the ghost of Omatsu, after which she disappeared.
Later, as Omatsu’s body was brought for burial, a violent thunderstorm erupted. The Cat Stone opened its eyes and breathed fire before transforming once more into the old woman. She assumed the form of a monstrous Kasha, seized Omatsu’s corpse, and disappeared into the clouds.
Sources
Takahashi, Toshihiro. “岡崎の化け猫 (Okazaki-ba-neko).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). Accessed July 28, 2026. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1069769025.html