Myth of the Week 019

According to Japanese tradition, the bakeneko is a supernatural creature. Its name means "changed cat". It is often confused with the nekomata, another cat-like being. However, the common thread across the bakeneko mythos involves a distinguishing feature: cats that have been killed by humans in a brutal manner, or were somehow abused, are most likely to change. After death, the cat returns as a bakeneko to curse the human who caused them harm.