Bakeneko Yujo

 

During the Edo-period it was believed that a strange cat monster haunted the  red-light district it was called the bakeneko yūjo.

A bakeneko is a cat Yokai with one tail, often confused with a Nekomata  a cat Yokai with two tails)...

The bakeneko yūjo is a popular character in kusazōshi and other popular publications, and originated from the association between the mysterious nature of cats and the alluring prostitutes who worked in Edo-period red-light districts.  The woman working these areas would sometime act more cat like to spread the rumer they may in fact be a bakeneko yujo, this would often increase there clients numbers out of curiosity alone.

 

In Japanese folklore, a bakeneko, or nekomata, is a cat that has gained  supernatural abilities.

 A common folkloric believe is that a cat can become a bakeneko after living to a certain age,  usually longer than 10, 40, or even 100 years depending on which version of the tale you hear.

 Bakeneko are often depicted as neutral creatures who may commit evil acts to satisfy their mischievous nature. Though, some stories say that cats can become friendly bakeneko if their owners treat them well.