

The ORIGINS of "NEKO!" Digging into the ETYMOLOGY of the Japanese Word for "CAT" | Japan Station 149
Mar 6, 2025
30:43
On this episode of Japan Station, I examine the mysterious origins of the Japanese word for cat: neko. Trust me, there's a whole lot more to say about the topic than you might think!
đTopics Discussed- The etymology of neko/cat
- Various theories that try to explain the origins of the Japanese word for cat
- Whether the Japanese word for cat traces its origins back to Chine/Chinese
- When cats first arrived in Japan
- What the onomatopoeia for a cat meowing was in The Tale of Genji
- About the song Neko Funjatta and what it is called in other countries/languages
- And more
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
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Here's the video of Neko Funjatta by Ichigoclub15.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpqGiKJt3cQ
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