Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: None recorded
Category: Cat
The Myth
According to a legend from Yoshima in Fukushima Prefecture, there are four ranks of horned cat demons, each possessing different powers. The legend was introduced in the Illustrated Compendium of Mythical Creatures of Japan (2016), which also features photographs of skulls said to belong to these beings.
The lowest rank is the Wild Demon, a one-horned cat that differs little from an ordinary cat and possesses no special supernatural abilities. Its traditional leader bears the title Amenokatsubushi no Mikoto.
Above them are the Ghost Demons, recognizable by their two horns. They understand human language and possess the ability to shapeshift. Their leader is known as Amenomatatabi-no-Mikoto.
The third rank consists of the Sky Demons, which have three horns. They can understand the languages of all animals and plants, shapeshift at will, and command the forces of earth, water, fire, and wind. Their leader is called Amenoshaminen-no-Mikoto.
The highest rank is the Heavenly Demons (Tenki). These beings are considered equal to gods and rarely reveal themselves or harm humans. Unlike the lower ranks, they have no horns and are completely indistinguishable from ordinary cats. No skull of a Heavenly Demon has ever been found. Their leader is traditionally named Nekoterasu-Ōmikami.
A cat demon’s rank is determined at birth and normally cannot change. However, the legend states that through constant training a cat demon may eventually lose its horns and ascend to the rank of a Heavenly Demon, which is why cat demons are said to devote themselves tirelessly to spiritual cultivation.
The legend also describes other horned demon races. Chicken demons are weaker than cat demons and are often hunted by them. Fox demons are stronger than cat demons, while bear demons are the most powerful of all, although they are said to live without conflict with the other races.
A mysterious document known as the “Cat Demon’s Apology Letter” is also associated with the tradition. Written in an unreadable script of strange symbols and accompanied by what appears to be a map, its contents remain undeciphered. The source notes that many aspects of the legend—including the divine names and the four-rank hierarchy—appear to parody elements of Japanese mythology and older folklore, and it remains uncertain whether the legend itself is genuinely ancient or a more recent creation.
Sources
Takahashi, Toshihiro. “猫鬼 (Neko-Oni).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). Accessed July 28, 2026. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1069861391.html