The nekomata is a cat monster with a forked tail and a taste for human flesh. The creature's powers include the ability to talk; walk on hind legs; shape-shift; fly; and even resurrect the dead. The nekomata pictured here was encountered in the Nasuno area of Tochigi prefecture.

The Kaikidan Ekotoba is a mid-19th century handscroll that profiles 33 legendary monsters and human oddities; mostly from the Kyushu region of Japan; but with several from other countries; including China; Russia and Korea. The document; whose author is unknown; is in the possession of the Fukuoka City Museum.