Japanese Bobtail Cat

Origin
A legend tells that in 1640, a feudal gentleman went out to hunt with his group and on the way back; they passed by the temple of Gotukuji from the Sect of the Soto Zen. In the temple door, a cat with a raised paw beckons like it was calling him.  Seeing this, the man decided to enter the temple and from there, this man and the people that were with him had good luck and they all said it had been because of the cat from the temple.

Since then, figures of a cat with a raised paw were made symbol of good luck and were given as presents to friends because they brought good luck. 

Although it's a new breed for America and Europe, the Japanese Bobtail has existed in Japan for many centuries. They are known in their native land as MI-KE.

Characteristics
Their coat is medium length, soft and silky. Colors are: white, black, red, black and white, red and white, tricolor, tortoiseshell.

The head forms almost a triangle with large, upright ears tilted forward. The snout is fairly broad and round. Large, round eyes. Medium sized body, long and lean, but muscular. Legs are long, slender and high, the hind legs longer than the forelegs, but deeply angulated. Oval paws, small toes that measure around five to seven centimeters.

They a have a pleasant and amicable character, distinguish for greeting with their paw after being caressed. If they live near the ocean, river or lake, it will catch any fish at their reach and will give away the first one to their owner. They adapt very good to a home environment as well as outdoors.

For their care, it is necessary an occasional light brush.