Bakeneko
/ba̠ke̞ ne̞ko̞/noun
A supernatural Japanese cat believed to transform, speak, or acquire magical powers.
Did you know?Traditional legends warned that an ordinary cat might become a bakeneko after growing unusually old, large, or long-tailed—though the exact conditions varied by region and story.
Etymological Timeline
Old Japanese
Japanese
neko
“Cat; the origin of the second element is established, though its deeper pre-Japanese history is uncertain.”
Heian period
Japanese
bakeru
“To transform, change form, or appear in an altered guise.”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
bakemono
“A transformed or monstrous being; literally, a thing that has changed form.”
Edo period
Japanese
bake-neko
“A cat believed to transform into a supernatural being; the folklore becomes prominent in popular tales and illustrated works.”
19th–20th centuries
Japanese
bakeneko
“A recognized category of cat yōkai in folklore, alongside the nekomata.”
Modern English
English
bakeneko
“An English loanword for a supernatural or shapeshifting cat from Japanese legend.”