As The Neko Jinja Is A Shrine For Cats, They Don’t Mind Sitting On It

Off the Eastern shore of Japan, a paradise for cat lovers waits among the waves of the Pacific.

There, cats do as they choose, waiting to be admired by visitors to their island.

The island of Tashirojima has long been known as Cat Island thanks to the felines that prowl the sandy shores and forests. And strolling down the street, you’re more likely to run into a cat than a human as there are more felines calling the island home than people. Sounds like the ideal relocation spot for the cat lover!


@kato_kouta/Twitter

But the kitties weren’t always the main residents of the island.

The inhabitants of Tashirojima used to raise silkworms for the production of fabric or they fished the abundant waters. Felines were brought to the island to protect the silkworms from mice, but they soon realized hanging around with the fisherman also earned them tasty morsels from the ocean. Between silkworms and fisherman, the island had the ideal perks for a cat.


@ttt_zegu952/Twitter

As the human populous aged and waned on the island, the cats thrived. Soon, the felines outnumbered the humans 3 to 1. And now, the cats rule the island, making themselves comfy wherever they choose.

Including a shrine built to honor cats.

Protection and Good Fortune

In Japan, folklore tells us feeding cats offers protection to the feeder as well as a blessing of good fortune. On the island, the fisherman also believed the cats brought good luck. So, as they set their hooks, fisherman gave thanks to the cats in the form of tasty fish. Between handouts, fish, and mice, the cats of Tashirojima grew fat and plenty.

But legend tells of an unfortunate incident in which a cat was killed by falling rock. To honor the lost feline, fishermen built the Neko Jinja shrine. Over time, more and more beckoning cat figures have been added to the shrine, along with other offerings a sacred cat spirit might enjoy.

The cats of the island have found the shrine an ideal place to settle in for a snooze.


@ttt_zegu952/Twitter

Or dodge the rain.


@ttt_zegu952/Twitter

With so many offerings placed at the shrine, cat curiosity has so much to investigate.


@ttt_zegu952/Twitter

And the cats would like to point out, the shrine was built to honor felines, so why shouldn’t they take snooze there? Tashirojima and the Neko Jinja shrine offers more proof that cats think the world was made just for them!

H/T: www.boredpanda.com
Feature Image: @ttt_zegu952/Twitter

The post As The Neko Jinja Is A Shrine For Cats, They Don’t Mind Sitting On It appeared first on iHeartCats.com.



from iHeartCats.com https://ift.tt/34zbhje

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can Dogs Have Breath Mints?

Image
Bad breath can lead to embarrassing situations and breath mints are used to prevent this from happening. The problem of bad breath is extremely common among dogs but can they have breath mints? The answer to this question is a YES only if the mints have been made specifically for dogs. You can find a lot of dog breath mints in the market. Generally, artificial forms of mint use Xylitol (an artificial sweetener) that is toxic for dogs. Due to this reason, it is highly recommended to avoid all kinds of mint products that may contain this ingredient. Basically, it causes a sudden release of insulin in the body that leads to hypoglycemia. According to VCA Hospitals , even the smallest quantities of Xylitol can cause seizures, liver failure, or even death. Help! My Dog Ate a Mint If your dog has eaten a mint leaf, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if he/she has ingested a breath mint with Xylitol in it, you need to move quickly. Despite the fact that xyl...
Read more

Can Cats Drink Tea And Other Caffeinated Beverages?

Image
Watching your sneaky cat inch towards your morning brew, you’ve probably wondered if cats can drink tea, coffee, or other morning musts with caffeine. The answer is complicated when it comes to sharing tea with cats, but one thing’s for sure: coffee and felines should never mix. Chock full of caffeine and other stimulants, cats should never drink coffee as caffeine is toxic to cats . This includes decaffeinated coffee since the beans also contain theobromine , another stimulant that can sicken felines. In protecting your cat from caffeine, don’t let her drink caffeinated sodas or energy drinks either. Also look out for guarana, mate, and cacao when checking food labels. All three are natural sources of caffeine. Also, according to the Pet Poison Helpline, caffeine may go by the alternate names   methylxanthine and xanthine . Did you know you can also find caffeine in diet supplements, weight loss products, and over-the-counter medications? If your cat manages to steal a sip ...
Read more

7 Fall Hazards All Pet Parents Should Be Aware Of

Image
Fall — i t’s here and beautiful as ever. The foliage is starting to change, the air is getting crisper, days are becoming shorter, and the festive feelings of Halloween and Thanksgiving are in the air. But, along with the beauty of the season come some potential fall hazards that all pet parents should be aware of.  1. Rodenticides As the days are getting shorter and cooler, mother nature’s little outdoor critters will begin looking for some temporary fall and winter housing to call home. Mice and rats are notorious for trying to get inside garages, basements, attics, and sheds as they search for a cozy place to call home. To avoid unwanted little tenants, many households put out rodent poisons. If you use these poisons anywhere in your home, make sure to keep them hidden and far out of the reach of your canine kids. These chemical formulas are toxic and potentially deadly for your pooch. 2. Mushroom Poisoning Mushrooms have a habit of popping up around this time of the year...
Read more