Cat Heaven Island
The small Japanese island of Tashirojima has been dubbed ‘Cat Heaven’ by guests. Dwelling to just one hundred folks, cats far outnumber people within the tiny fishing village.
Cats had been initially delivered to the island to maintain the mice inhabitants in verify because the rodents had been predators of the silkworms that had been raised to spin silk to make nets. Over time, the inhabitants has aged and the silk farms have vanished – nevertheless the cats have remained and their numbers have exploded.
The remaining locals, largely of their seventies, pamper the cats and feed them fish. It’s believed, consistent with Japanese folklore, the cats carry good luck and prosperity. The fishermen additionally study the behaviour of the cats to find out climate and fish patterns, which they imagine they’re able to predict.
For 5 years photographer Fubirai adopted the cats across the village and captured snapshots of their day by day lives. His not too long ago printed pictures have now gone viral.
The island’s cat obsession manifests even in its structure, with a number of cat-shaped buildings dotting the island.
The village rose to fame by means of the efforts of a pair who moved to the island from Sendai. They opened an inn known as Hamaya for travellers and launched a weblog in 2006 concerning the island and its inhabitants. A film was made later that yr about one of many cats on the island, Droopy-Eared Jack, with three sequels following which every up to date followers on the turns of Jack’s life.
Tourism for the island is now booming as guests flock internationally to see the feline paradise for themselves. Many package deal excursions take vacationers to go looking amongst the numerous 1000’s of cats that decision the island house within the hopes of catching a glimpse of the well-known Jack.
After all, since it’s cat heaven, no canines are allowed!