”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
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
New Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
Tokyo pub prohibits talking or keeping your phone out, only lets you drink in morning on weekends
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】