Sand in Italy it is celebrated on February 17th, in Japan the celebrations are on February 22: Cat Day, or Neko no Hi it is an important anniversary, since the Land of the Rising Sun has a real adoration for felines.
The establishment of Neko no Hi or Cat Day dates back to 1987, and the date is not accidental. The sequence 2-2-2, which in Japanese reads “ni-ni-ni”, recalls the meow, nyan-nyan-nyan. The date 22/2 therefore has a singularly feline sound. The Japanese celebrate the occasion by visiting neko cafes (we have some beautiful ones too) and pampering their cats in every way. And even those who don’t have a pet at home go to themed bars and tourist places, like Land islands known for their concentration of cats (Aoshimae and Tashirojima), just to photograph and touch the cats.
The Japanese ritual Nyan-nyan-nyan, to celebrate (again) Cat Day
You can use this occasion as an excuse to take some special time with your cat. Trying for example the Nyan-nyan-nyan Ritual. He explains what it is Erika Busnelliveterinary doctor of Japanese brand of cat food Inaba. «It’s a small moment of play and connection with your cat that recalls the traditional values of harmony, gratitude and bond». How is it done? The idea is to pronounce the three syllables as a gentle call and for each of the three moments, plan a complicity game that strengthens the human-feline relationship.
Nyan #1 – The Call of Curiosity
The first nyan is an invitation that immediately ignites the cat’s predatory instinct. It’s a moment of curiosity, one that reminds us of how, in Japan, cats are still considered small, ever-vigilant guardian spirits.
«It can be accompanied with a little fluffy game – a ball of fabric, a light mouse, an object that rolls slowly on the floor. The idea is to evoke a flapping of wings, a discreet movement that stimulates the cat to follow its trajectory” explains Busnelli.
The Japanese princes Kizuna And Ichigo ichie
Nyan #2 – The kizuna thread, symbol of bonding
The second nyan celebrates the kizunaa Japanese term that describes the emotional bond between two living beings. It is the moment of shared play, the one in which cat and human “build” the relationship through small synchronized gestures.
«It can be used a wand toy with a feather or a soft stringsomething that the cat can really grasp and “conquer” at the end of the movement” suggests Busnelli. «This detail is important: even if the wand or cord is managed by us, let the cat succeed in his little business at the end of the movement, without waiting too long, is the best and most immediate way to gratify him.”
Nyan #3 – Ichigo ichie: this moment is unrepeatable
The third nyan called backto the principle of ichigo ichie: the idea that every encounter, even the simplest, is unique and unrepeatable. It is the most intimate moment of the ritual, the one that transforms a routine moment into a special experience.
«Here a satisfying sensorial element must come into play: the advice is to offer a cuddles in the form of snacks directly from the hand, a gesture of care, closeness and trust”, explains Busnelli.
Why the Japanese love cats
To understand why cats are so loved in Japan you have to go back in time.
Looks like the cat has arrived to Japan from Chinaalmost certainly around the year 538 AD along with Buddhism. The monks welcomed them into their temples for keep manuscripts safe from mice.
Among his roles in Japanese society there is therefore that of dfor hunters, useful for protecting fabrics, manuscripts and even fishing nets from rodents. Thus the so-called were also born cat islands like Aoshimae, today populated by a veritable army of cats. Brought in specifically to deal with mice that gnawed at the nets, they have multiplied and have now become the main one local tourist attraction. A source of income that is worth much more than fishing.
Once guardians of the crops and precious silkworms, they come still considered symbols of protection, prosperity and good omen today. The Maneki Neko (“inviting cat”) also has this meaning, the very famous Japanese amulet of the cat with its paw raised commonly placed at the entrance to shops, restaurants and houses.
