The Kagurazaka area of Tokyo, with it's deep connection to our feline friends, is much loved by both cat-lovers and the animals themselves. Kagurazaka is the land of Soseki Natsume, author of the famous novel, 'I Am a Cat'. In addition to hosting the 'neko-zuka' ('cat-tomb'), which was built as a memorial to Natsume's own cat, the area is home to a number of headquarters for Japanese publishers that specialize in printed matter about cats, such as the magazine 'Neko Biyori'.
On October 30th, Kagurazaka was the site of the 'Bakeneko Parade' ('Ghost Cat Parade'), which was organized by the Bakeneko Parade Planning Committee. This year marked the 2nd staging of the event, which allows anyone to participate as long as they are dressed up as a cat.
In what should be called a 'Cat Halloween Parade', some of the participants simply donned cat ears and whiskers while others went all out, becoming 'bakeneko' reminiscent of characters in the 'Cats' musical. Altogether, more than 200 people showed up at the parade's starting point - Kagurazaka's Akagijinja Shrine. The crowd was quite diverse, including men and women as well as the young and the old.
After changing into their costumes inside tents set up specifically for the event, participants received their feline faces from makeup specialists who were on-hand.
From within the grounds of the shrine, the booming sound of music by artists such as Arashi and Lady Gaga accompanied the start of the parade. The dance team began walking around the shrine while teaching the participants the dance. The music troupe, after passing out instruments to the participants, followed behind the dance team. As the entire group danced down the main shopping street of Kagurazaka, the people passing by couldn't help but smile as they stared at this otherworldly parade. During the event, some rain started to trickle down. However, perhaps due to the power of the 'Bakeneko', it soon stopped.
The 'Bakeneko Parade' was first organized by planning committee member Yuko Okameya, who wanted to create a cat-themed event in Kagurazaka as a part of the neighborhood's annual 'Machi Tobi Festa', which takes place each autumn.
"Even though this is only our second year - we started in 2010, a number of people really wore elaborate costumes this time. It kind of goes without saying that the more extreme the costumes become - even if they're borderline ridiculous, the more fun the event will be.
We set out to involve the local shopping district in the 'Bakeneko Parade - having people enter shops and walk around the neighborhood in their costumes... We'll do it again next year, so we hope that a lot of different people come out and join us."
Take just a step off the bustling Kagurazaka Street into a side alleyway and you will likely find numerous strays cats and shops that feature 'kanban neko' ('shop cats'). From a cat's perspective, this easy-living area must seem like an entertainment district. The 'Bakeneko Parade' will be held again next year. How about joining?
Organizer/Sponsor: Bakeneko Parade Planning Committee
Representative: Yuko Okameya
Office: Gokanritsu Pareana
Operated by: Kagurazaka Volunteers
http://bakenekoparade.web.fc2.com/
