Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: None recorded
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Neko-bakemono is a monster cat introduced as the final yōkai in Hyakki Hirugyō (“Daytime Parade of One Hundred Demons”), a satirical collection published in Illustrated Moral Tales (1916).
It appears as a cat standing upright on two legs, casually stroking its whiskers. The work states that this monster first became infamous through the Nabeshima Incident, one of Japan’s most famous monster cat legends.
Although it meows gently, walks without making a sound, and appears soft and harmless, its true nature is far more dangerous. The text warns readers to look beyond its pleasant appearance and notice its sharp eyes, claws, and teeth. Its sweet voice and gentle behavior are merely a disguise meant to lull people into lowering their guard before it strikes.
The Neko-bakemono is described as an extremely ferocious monster whose poisonous and cruel nature is concealed beneath a friendly exterior. The author explains that most people judge only appearances, making them easy prey for such creatures.
The work further compares the monster to deceptive people in society, stating that many women who hide their true intentions can be likened to cat monsters, and warns young men to remain cautious of outward charm that conceals dangerous motives.
Sources
Takahashi, Toshihiro. “猫化け物 (Neko-bakemono).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). Accessed July 28, 2026. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1069861234.html