No. 14 of 15 · Yokai Personalities
Bakeneko, the Secret Midnight Dancer
Pictures by Nabeta Gyokuei and Toriyama Sekien
A calico cat rises on its hind legs with a red towel tied on its head, from Nabeta Gyokuei's 1881 Picture Book of Monsters after Toriyama Sekien, asking what old cats do at midnight. In Japanese folklore, a cat that lived long enough gained magic powers and danced through the night. Inside it wishes a happy birthday to a fellow midnight dancer, for the night owl who loves cats.
Add four of your own photos and your own words; we print the card in the US and post it for you.
Inside, it says
BAKENEKO the secret midnight dancer Tie towels on their heads and dance, say the old tales. Happy birthday, fellow midnight dancer! 猫又
On the back
猫又 / BAKENEKO / the secret midnight dancer / In Japanese folklore, a cat that lives long enough gains magic powers. The bakeneko and the fork-tailed nekomata were said to stand on their hind legs at night and dance with a towel on their heads.
A card for
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