The Kanji at a Glance
The kanji for cat is 猫, read neko. It is built from two parts: the animal radical 犭 on the left, which marks four-legged creatures, and 苗 on the right, which supplies the sound.
- On’yomi: BYOU
- Kun’yomi: neko
- Strokes: 11
- Core meaning: cat
In everyday Japanese the character is read neko almost every time you meet it. The on’yomi BYOU is real but rare, surfacing mainly in bookish compounds and in the odd product name. If you say the word out loud in Japan, you say neko.
Meaning and Nuance
猫 is warm. Japanese has an unusually rich vocabulary around cats, and the character carries the affection that comes with it rather than any coldness or bad luck.
- 子猫 (koneko) is a kitten, literally “child cat.”
- 黒猫 (kuroneko) is a black cat. Unlike much of Europe, black cats in Japan are traditionally read as lucky, particularly for warding off illness and for women’s good fortune.
- 招き猫 (manekineko) is the beckoning cat, the raised-paw figurine that sits by shop registers inviting customers and money through the door.
- 猫舌 (nekojita) means “cat tongue” and describes a person who cannot eat or drink anything hot. It is used constantly and affectionately.
There is also 猫背 (nekoze), meaning a hunched or rounded back, which is neutral to mildly critical. Worth knowing simply because it shows the character in a less flattering compound.
As a Tattoo
猫 works well as a tattoo because the meaning is unambiguous and the shape is genuinely attractive. Eleven strokes give the character density and texture, and the split between the narrow radical and the wider right-hand element creates a natural rhythm that brush styles flatter.
Understand what you are getting, though: 猫 is the plain noun. It says “cat,” the way a label says “cat.” It does not say “independent spirit” or “nine lives” or anything else the internet may have attached to it. If you want a cat tattoo that says something, the imagery usually carries more meaning than the character does, and 招き猫 (manekineko) brings actual cultural weight with it.
On script: Japanese and simplified Chinese both write this character as 猫. Traditional Chinese uses 貓, with the 豸 radical instead. If you are after correct Japanese, 猫 is the form you want, and a reference image showing 貓 is a sign the source is not Japanese.
Placement is forgiving. At eleven strokes the character needs enough room that the fine lines inside 苗 do not blur together as the ink settles over the years, so avoid very small sizes on high-movement areas like fingers. The forearm, shoulder blade, and calf all give it room to breathe.
Confirm with a native speaker before you ink. You can preview the character in vertical and horizontal layouts with the Japanese Tattoo Generator, and read the wider background in our guide to japanese tattoo meanings.
Related Kanji
FAQ
What is the kanji for cat?
The kanji for cat is 猫, read neko in Japanese. It has eleven strokes and combines the animal radical 犭 with the component 苗. The on’yomi reading is BYOU, but neko is what people actually say.
How do you write neko in Japanese?
Three ways, all correct in different contexts. 猫 is the kanji and the standard written form. ねこ is hiragana, softer and often used in casual or cute writing. ネコ is katakana, common in scientific writing about the species and in branding.
Is 猫 the same character in Chinese?
Simplified Chinese uses 猫, the same shape as Japanese. Traditional Chinese uses 貓. If your reference image shows 貓, it is not the Japanese form.
Does the cat kanji carry any special meaning in Japan?
Not on its own. 猫 is a plain noun. The cultural meaning lives in specific compounds and figures instead, above all 招き猫 (manekineko), the beckoning cat that invites luck and customers, and in the folklore around the two-tailed bakeneko.