In a documentary about the making of Spirited Away, director Hayao Miyazaki is shown in his studio explaining how he wants a certain scene to look. When the dragon’s jaws are wrenched open, he says, it should look like a dog clenching its teeth, gums bared. Faced with blank stares at this analogy, he asks the animators if any of them have a dog. “I had a cat once”, offers up one young man. “A cat!” exclaims Miyazaki in despair, before whisking the entire team off to a vet’s surgery to have a closer look at some canine mouths.
Cats and dogs, as we know, are quite different, and one thing that sets them apart is cats’ contrariness. A dog’s reward is pleasing you, while a cat’s reward is pleasing itself. Getting a cat to do what you want, therefore, can be extraordinarily difficult. Unless, that is, you can manage to convince your cat that it made the decision all by itself.
From Japanese cat blog guremike, we bring you: the power of the magical cat-attracting circle.
▼ Make an enclosed circle on the ground.
▼ Your cat should come running!
▼ Look, she thinks it was all her own idea.
▼ Tape works too!
Next up, the clever owners tried out some different sized traps.
▼ Which one will she go for?
▼ Well, cats do like squeezing into little spaces!
After guremike‘s adorable photo sets were uploaded to Reddit, cat owners the world over tried out different methods of tricking their pets, and within a few hours, the CatCircles subreddit was born.
▼ This one’s portable!
▼ Even a pair of jeans will do!
▼ Some cats weren’t so keen, however.
▼ “Tried a wide variety of colors and shapes without success,” said this owner, “but the classic works fine.”
Are cats in circles the new cats in boxes? Did you try a cat circle out on your pet? Did it work, or were you met with feline disdain?
And if you like your cat photos with a side order of tatami, be sure to check out guremike’s beautiful blog.
Dog thinks she’s a cat, is gorgeous either way【Photos】
Japanese cat enjoys walks in the rain with his adorable tiny umbrella【Photos】
We think he’s purr-fect! Meet Monty, the cat born without a nose bone【Photos】
Japanese kitty shows us that a cat pillow is a critical component of a proper cat nap【Video】
Twist ending to Japanese cat video shows they aren’t always graceful, but can still be adorable
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Own a pair of secret camera shoes? The police should be by shortly for a visit
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Hang in there, Baby!: Cat clinging to wall in Tokyo caught on Google Maps
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese book “nekotan” teaches foreign language the best way possible: by talking about cats
Your cat or dog can be King of the Pirates with One Piece anime cosplay outfits for pets【Photos】
Cat kotatsu let your feline friends relax through winter the Japanese way【Photos】
Leave a Reply