Gotoku neko

Intro Gotoku neko, or "trivet cat," is a type of nekomata, a large two-tailed yōkai cat known for its unique appearance, wearing an upside-down trivet on its head and having flaming tail tips. They inhabit fireplaces, using bamboo pipes to stoke fires. Created by Toriyama Sekien in his book "Hyakki tsurezure bukuro," the name derives from the gotoku trivet, symbolizing warmth. The yōkai connects to Confucian virtues through a humorous anecdote about a nobleman forgetting virtues during a dance. Cats are linked to fire superstitions, with gotoku neko's fiery tails possibly referencing the belief that cats could ignite house fires.