Cats from Tashirojima {Japan}

“The island of Tashirojima is situated in the north of Japan, at the same height as the city of Sendaï. Tashirojima is known for its population of approximately 150 cats. They are the principal attraction of this island that counted over 1,000 inhabitants in the eighties. There was even a school, now in ruins. Today, only a few fishermen, of whom the average age is 60 years old, are left. 

To get to the island, a single boat departs from the city of Ishinomaki. Unfortunately, the tsunami has severely touched Ishinomaki, both on a material and human level, and its port has been destroyed. Tashirojima, too, underwent material damage, cutting it off from the rest of the world for quite some time. The American army even refueled the cats of kibble by helicopter. 

After the tsunami, fishing was suspended for several months as the infrastructures on the port were damaged. Nowadays, there are only three or four boats left and only one trawler in use.” 

Tashirojima was once a major producer of silk worms. As mice were its biggest enemy, cats were introduced onto the island to hunt the mice. The silk production has stopped, but the cats are still there.

Around five o'clock in the morning, the fishermen come back and unload their nets to sort the fish. The cats never miss their appointment to try their luck at receiving fish in poor condition that will not be sold.

Text and cat photos: Neko Land: Une vie de chat au Japon

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