Neko-dera

Today, the temple holds memorial services for animals, including cats.

[1] Shōzen-in in Mizukami, Kumamoto retains a legend which states that its founding was due to the Sagara family being cursed by a vengeful cat spirit, leading to the sudden death of the 19th head of the family, Sagara Tadafusa.

According to legend, Ii Naotaka, the daimyō of the Hikone Domain was beckoned to the temple gate by a cat, narrowly escaping a thunderstorm.

The origins of this image is based on the legend of Ōta Dōkan coming out victorious after the Battle of Ekoda and Numabukurohara with the help of a cat.

[4] Gotanjō-ji in Echizen, Fukui serves as a shelter for sick and abandoned cats.