”Cats and shoji” have basically become the “Mustangs and cars and coffee” of Japan.
Are cats competitive creatures? Sure, they’re not known for their cooperative tendencies, but when they see another kitty doing something impressive, does it trigger some sort of latent one-upmanship, or, more accurately, one-upcatship?
It would certainly explain why feline pets in Japan keep coming up with increasingly impressive ways to destroy their owner’s shoji, or traditional sliding paper doors. Now throwing their hats into the ring are the cats owned by Japanese Twitter user @kokonananya. In the past, we’ve seen some of @kokonananya’s animal wards dozing peacefully, but this week they decided to put their destructive skills to use instead.
「恐れていた事態」 pic.twitter.com/IBbrIf9u4I
— ココニャ@猫写真集、発売中! (@kokonananya) October 26, 2016
“This is what I was afraid would happen,” said @kokonananya wryly. Online commenters chimed in with:
“Well, that’s a dramatic way of saying hello.”
“What a cat-astrophe.”
“Yep, cat’s will do this.”
“You can’t even get made at them for it.”
“Looks like they’re really enjoying themselves.”
Considering that @kokonananya took the time to snap and share the photo, we’re guessing she’s not too upset at over her pets’ unilateral decision to redecorate her home. Still, it’s probably a good thing that at least one of her cats knows how to apologize Japanese-style.
Source: Hamster Sokuho
Featured image: Twitter/@kokonananya
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s hoping that “Miatas and matcha” becomes a thing.

Cute cat’s curiosity kills the Japanese sliding paper door 【Video】
Cat crashes through sliding paper door and right into the internet’s heart 【Pics】
Cute cat surprises owner with ability to walk through walls
Fix holes made by cats on screen doors and windows with cute new patches from Felissimo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
New cherry blossom party picnic essential: This super-handy folding cardboard table
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
“Oh, I remember those!” Getting nostaligic about old toys with Japanese netizens
How to fold an adorable towel bunny while you wait for your meal
Canadian corporation withdraws bid to acquire 7-Eleven Japan and its parent company
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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