Nekomata 猫又

Nekomata (猫又), the “Forked Cat,” is one of the most dangerous feline yokai—a domestic cat that has grown so old and powerful that its tail splits in two, granting it the power of necromancy and a deep-seated hatred for humanity.

Meaning and Origin

The name literally means “Forked Cat” or “Split Cat.”

Folklore tells of two types of Nekomata: the Mountain Nekomata, which were giant, wild beasts that ate travelers; and the Domestic Nekomata, which were house cats that transformed after reaching an advanced age (usually 20 years or more) and a certain weight. The fear of Nekomata was so real in the Edo period that many people would cut off their kittens’ tails to prevent them from growing into the “forked” monster.

Characteristics

A Nekomata looks like an oversized cat with two identical tails. They are far more malevolent than their cousin, the Bakeneko. Nekomata are said to walk on their hind legs when no one is watching and are known for their glowing eyes and their ability to summon “Fireballs” (Kitsuné-bi or Onibi) from their tail tips.

Their most terrifying power is Necromancy. Legend says that a Nekomata can animate a fresh human corpse by leaping over it or by performing a strange dance. They use these “puppets” to terrorize families or to force their former masters to do their bidding.

Legends

One famous story tells of a samurai whose mother began acting strangely—sneaking into the kitchen at night to eat raw fish and developing a strange, forked shadow on the wall. The samurai eventually discovered his “mother” had been eaten and replaced by their old family cat, who was using its magic to wear her skin and control the household.

Another legend from the Kamakura period describes a Nekomata that killed several people in a single night in Nara. It was said to be as large as a dog and as fast as a lightning bolt. Because of these stories, cats in Japan were often treated with a mixture of affection and wary respect, with many elders refusing to let a cat near a funeral for fear that the “Forked Cat” would bring the deceased back to a horrific, dancing life.