太子殿猫の門

Did a cat really save the Taiko-den Cat Gate? We’re standing before the Taiko-den Cat Gate at Shitennoji Temple in Osaka. It’s a place of whispers and legends. The gate itself is unassuming. It’s made of wood, with a simple four-legged structure. A stone pillar marks its presence, clearly labeled “Taiko-den Cat’s Gate.” But look closer. On the horizontal beam supporting the roof, you’ll find a carved sleeping cat. It’s this small detail that holds a remarkable story. Shitennoji Temple is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples, founded in 593. It’s suffered fires and disasters throughout its history. The Taiko-den Cat Gate has been rebuilt numerous times. One reconstruction was overseen by the Edo-period sculptor, Jingoro Hidari. His sleeping cat seems almost lifelike, ears perked, as if listening to the temple’s secrets. One story says the cat protected the gate from fire. During an air raid in World War II, the cat carving was supposedly removed from the gate before the flames consumed the structure. Another tale links the cat to a rather humorous legend. It’s said the cat escaped the temple at night to roam the streets of Osaka. This cat’s nocturnal adventures earned it a reputation as a party animal. The monks, to prevent future escapades, placed a net over the gate. The real story, however, is more nuanced. The sleeping cat design, crafted by Hidari Jingoro, was meant to face the rising sun. It created a balance with another sleeping cat sculpture at the temple, facing the sunset. They represented a symbolic pair. The current cat, however, is a later reproduction, created after World War II. The original was lost in the fires. While no cat physically saved the gate, the enduring image of the sleeping feline continues to watch over this corner of Shitennoji Temple. It reminds us of the resilience of this sacred space and the enduring power of stories.