Bakeneko (化け猫)

More about Bakeneko (化け猫)

In Japanese folklore, the bakeneko (化け猫) is a type of yōkai, or supernatural entity, that appears as a cat.

The Bakeneko

In shadowed alleys, soft and sleek,
A cat walks by with silent cheek.
Her eyes are gold, her whiskers long —
She hums an ancient, purring song.

By day she naps with tail curled tight,
But come the hush of silver night,
She stretches tall on two thin legs,
And dances round old shrine-stone pegs.

She sips from cups left out for tea,
And grins with ghostly dignity.
She speaks in riddles, slow and wise,
And tells the stars the town’s small lies.

She’s no mere cat, though small she seems —
She walks between your world and dreams.
A Bakeneko, born of spell,
Where folklore sleeps and spirits dwell.

But if you leave her fish and rice,
And treat her with respect — and nice —
She’ll guard your home from spite and blight,
And curl beside your bed at night.

Yet be polite. And never stare.
You’ll catch her tail split in the air.
And if she blinks and tips her head…
You might just wake somewhere instead.