Familiar to travelers as the cat with the raised paw in the china figurines sold in Japan as good luck symbols, the Japanese Bobtail cat is distinguished by its unusual short tail. This is preferably carried upright like a pompom.
Did you know that China cats depicting this breed are often placed in shop windows in Japan. They have one paw raised in greeting and are called Maneki neko or welcoming cats. They are thought to bring good luck.
History
Although the breed has existed in Japan for many centuries, it was unknown in the USA until 1968, when Elizabeth Freret imported the first three Japanese Bobtails from Japan. Breed standards were agreed on in the 1970s and the Bobtail was granted championship status in 1976. At that time, it was known only as a shorthair, but a longhaired version was accepted for showing in 1993.
Description
The medium sized body is long, lean and elegant, but not tubular like the Siamese. The head appears long and finely chiseled and forms a perfect equilateral triangle with gentle curving lines, high cheekbones and a noticeable whisker break. The nose is long with a gentle dip at or just below eye level. The large oval eyes are wide set and alert, but their color does not necessarily conform to the color of the coat. The ears are large, upright and have rounded tips. They are set wide apart so as to continue the lines of the triangular head.
The legs are long and slender with the deeply bent hind legs longer than the front. The hind legs are naturally bent when the cat is standing relaxed. The paws are oval with pads in a color that suits the coat. Each individual has its own variation of the unusual short tail, which is carried upright or close to the body curled like a pompom. The tail may be flexible or rigid, in harmony with the rest of the cat’s body. It must be clearly visible and comprise one or more curves, angles or kinks, or any combination of these.
The shorthair Japanese Bobtail has a medium length coat that is soft and silky, but with no noticeable undercoat. The longhair has a soft, silky, medium to long coat that lies flat and follows the lines of the body. There is minimal shedding. A ruff is desirable, as are ear and toe tufts. Grooming entails only brushing with a soft bristle brush or a light combing.
Varieties
The Japanese Bobtail comes in all colors, except solid lilac, chocolate and color pointed. The most popular is called Mi-ke (mee-kay) which is white with red and black splotches, identical to what is called calico in the West. Another popular pattern is the bicolor. This is a white cat with one other color, either solid or patterned. If there are no more than two spots of color on the body, it is referred to as a van pattern. If there are more than two spots, it is called a bicolor.
Temperament
The Japanese Bobtail is active, intelligent and talkative, its voice is soft and it usually responds when spoken to. It is very adaptable, friendly and especially good with children. It loves human company, and has a lively and vivacious charm.
There are representations of the Japanese Bobtail Cat on ancient prints and manuscripts dating back some 2,000 years.
On the Gotojuki temple in Tokyo, built during the Edo period (1615-1867), is a famous portrayal of a beckoning Bobtail.
A red and white Japanese Bobtail Cat shows that, unlike the tailless true Manx, the breed has a very short tail that curls around its rump.
Legend has it that a cat in Japan was warming itelf in front of a fire when it accidentally set its tail alight. It ran through the city and spread the fire through the fragile wooden houses, which were burnt to ashes. The Emperor of Japan decreed all cats should be punished and ordered their tails to be chopped off. There is a similar story surrounding the origin of Manx cats.
What actually caused this particular gene mutation is a mytery. Unlike the Manx, the mating of two Japanese Bobtail Cats will produce only more Japanese Bobtails.
While the Japanese Bobtail Cat is accepted in many colors, it is the tortie and white, which the Japanese call mi-ke (three color) that is especially prized.
An American who lived in Japan after World War II returned to the United States with 38 Bobtails to found a breeding line. Provisional status was granted in 1971, and championship status in 1976. Japanese breeders began to develop a long coated variation in 1954, although the type had unofficially been around for centuries, particularly in the northern regions of Japan. They were represented in ancient Japanese paintings, but had been ignored by the pedigree cat aficionados. They were recognized in 1991 by the international cat association.
The Japanese Bobtail is a medium sized cat with clean lines and bone structure. It is well muscled but straight and slender rather than massive in build. The set of the eyes combined with high cheek bones, lends a distinctive cast to the face, especially in profile, which is quite different from other oriental breeds. Its short tail should resemble a rabbit tail, with the hair fanning out to create a pompon apperance which effectively camouflages the underlying bone structure.
The cats are now available in most colors and patterns. In japan, they are thought of as bringing good fortune to a household, especially the van patterned tortie and white, known as the mi-ke (three colors).
Japanese Bobtail Cat breed information
coat – shorthair, medium in length, soft and silky with no undercoat. longhair, medium to long, soft and silky with no undercoat, frontal ruff desirable
eyes – large, oval, color reflects coat color
other features – short, moveable tail
grooming – easy, regular combing
temperament – affectionate, intelligent, inquisitive, needs attention
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