In August 2010, in honor of Tama's third year as stationmaster, the station building at Kishi was rebuilt with a new structure resembling a cat's face. In a big way. Tama is a popular name for cats in Japan, where they are considered spiritual animals. The manga turned anime Ranma 1/2 and Fruits Basket both feature humans who turn into cats under certain conditions. She’s currently an employee of Japan’s Okayama Electric Tramway and serves as the acting director of the Okaden Museum. A study estimated that the publicity surrounding Tama has contributed 1.1 billion yen to the local economy. Find more Japanese words at wordhippo.com! Cat stationmaster Tama mourned in Japan and elevated as goddess. "The cat that saved a Japanese train station: Meet Tama, Japan's cutest stationmaster, and her adorable cat-shaped station home", "Tama the Cat Drums Up Business for Railway in Japan", Tama Spiral Station Manager 's summer cap hat type greeting greeting, "Tama is the purr-fect antidote to financial gloom: study", Welcome to the Governor 's Office Governor's Press Conference October 21, 2008, "Promotion for Japan's stationmaster cat", Wakayama Electric Railway representative message, "Tama the cat: 3,000 attend elaborate funeral for Japan's feline stationmaster", "Meet Nitama, the new cat in charge at Japan's Kishi Station", "Train station's popular cat mascot meets likely successor", "Japanese railway turns to feline 'stationmaster' for help", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tama_(cat)&oldid=996127022, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 24 December 2020, at 18:05. [23], Tama is featured in the Animal Planet series Must Love Cats. There is a calico cat name Tama (but it is a female), who is the station master at Kishi Station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Another lazy-looking cat … In 2009, Mitooka also designed a new building for Kishi Station, a small thatched structure in the shape of a cat’s head. Since Tama’s death, a new cat, Niitama (second Tama), has become the new super stationmaster, while Yontama (fourth Tama… Background. 3. Keep reading! In Japanese, new names can easily created by combining name elements together. In the process, she received a dark blue ceremonial gown with white lace neck ruffles, and thousands of tourists began coming to the small, single-platform station to see her. By Daily Mail Reporter. To capitalise on the region’s Tama craze, in 2010 the railway hired award-winning industrial designer Eiji Mitooka – known for his sleek Japanese bullet trains – to completely redesign the train’s exteriors and interiors as a Tama-themed line. Tama was named the head of … Tama was a "tourism superstar extremely popular in and out of Japan who contributed greatly to promoting tourism in our prefecture," Wakayama Governor Yoshinobu Nisaka said in a statement. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Tama (Japanese: たま, April 29, 1999 – June 22, 2015) was a female calico cat who gained fame for being a station master and operating officer at Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. There is a calico cat name Tama (but it is a female), who is the station master at Kishi Station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. On January 5, 2012, Tama's official apprentice, named "Nitama" ("Second Tama") was revealed. Tama would later take up Liza's family name "Kishreshgalza" after being conferred the Honorary Chevalier title and rank. Two petals with a pattern of long, dark spots on them are wrapped into a feline shape for the face. In lieu of an annual salary, the railway provided Tama with a year's worth of cat food and a gold name tag for her collar stating her name and position. [3] In April 2006, the Wakayama Electric Railway destaffed all stations on the Kishigawa Line to cut costs. Explore many types of pets to find the right match. I've recently adopted a 6-month old cat, and I'm trying to figure out what to name him. Her gold name tag was modified to a gold tag with a blue background with an added "S" for "super". Light cruiser, Tama. The famous Maneki-neko cat figurines, with their beckoning left paw, are said to bring good fortune to businesses, which has led them to be placed inside storefront windows across the globe. And Tama Three? “Having her around the station makes everyone happy,” he said, as the cat playfully swiped at a tourist’s iPhone. Tama the cat sits at her post as stationmaster at Kishi train station in Wakayama, western Japan. Tama, the hero of Kishi Station. The station started to make Tama the Cat merchandise, which tourists happily bought up. [5] In July 2008, a summer hat was also issued to Tama for hotter weather. Thousands of people attended her funeral at the station, leaving piles of flower bouquets and cans of tuna outside. Wakayama Electric Steel Official Website" Representative Message "(January 7, 2017). They come seeking time, and hopefully a photo, with Kishi's stationmaster, a calico cat named Tama. Japanese names have clear sounds and syllables that are easy to pronounce, so your cat will learn when you are calling them easily enough. “The station comes alive as a cat when the eyes light up,” Yamaki said. Tama was so adored by riders and railway staff that a painted portrait of her was soon commissioned, which now hangs alongside numerous glossy photos of her in Kishi Station’s souvenir shop – where visitors can buy everything from Tama badges and keyrings to Tama-branded candy. While Tama and her successors have played a major part in the Kishigawa Line’s revival, Yamaki is keen to point out that the railway’s revival hasn’t solely been due to the cats. After being named, she will also occasionally use her own name as an exclamation. "I Am Tama, Lucky Cat" by Wendy Henrichs was such a pleasure to read. He said he told Tama to get well so they can celebrate the cat's upcoming 10th anniversary as a stationmaster, and said the cat responded with a "meow." Here is the ultimate list of most popular Japanese cat names for male and female kittens. No matter whether you or your cat have Japanese heritage, a Japanese name will be a sure hit. Tama maintained the station master's job while taking over the new job, and was the first cat to become an executive of a railroad corporation.[14]. Inspiring More Animal Station Masters . You may also be interested in:• The Asian city obsessed with cats• The cats who rule Rome• Japan’s ultimate travel food. There’s also a lot of cute cartoons and merchandising of Tama. On January 5, 2008, Tama was promoted to "super station master" in a ceremony attended by the president of the company, the mayor, and approximately 300 spectators. This print created a little more recently, in 1926 is entitled Tama, the Cat and is the work of Hiroaki Takahashi, a Tokyo-based artist who produced some of his most striking pieces during the 20th century. By the time Tama passed away in 2015, she was 16 years old and had appeared in prominent TV shows, magazines and newspapers across Japan. She also got paws-on at the station, sometimes greeting passengers from atop a table set up by the ticket gates or from the behind the glass window of her ‘office’ – a converted ticket booth equipped with a litter tray and bed. The Cat Returns – Haru Yoshioka saves a cat from an accident and the cat turns out to be Lune, a Prince of the Cat Kingdom. […] 90 Beautifully Exotic Cat Names for Boys & Girls - CatVills - […] Jun – Hopefully your cat lives up to this name meaning “obedient” in Japanese. She was enshrined at a nearby Shinto cat shrine as spirit goddess Tama Daimyōjin (たま大明神) on August 11, 2015. The calico cat was appointed stationmaster at the Kishi station in western Japan in 2007 and died early last week. But fortunately, it wasn’t the end for the railway or the beloved feline’s role in it. To help with that last task, Japanese Internet portal Iris Pet has released its newest list of the most popular cat names in Japan, compiled from responses from 1,671 cat owners. Mike (ミケ,), Kuro (クロ,), and Tama (タマ,) first arrived on Earth as tiny meteors and have existed on Earth for a month.Within a week, the trio began emitting their Memory Waves across Japan, causing several people to suffer from amnesia. “Our president has always been a dog person, but when he met Tama that was it,” Yamaki said, while swiping through images on her phone of Kojima happily cuddling the station’s ‘cat master’. Tomomi: Beautiful friend, Tomo is friend and mi is beautiful. View image of Yontama is the latest calico to serve as stationmaster of the Wakayama Electric Railway and works at the Idakiso station (Credit: Credit: Rob Goss), View image of The carriages on the Tamaden railway are adorned with whiskers, paw prints and images of Tama (Credit: Credit: Rob Goss), View image of When Tama passed away, she was elevated to the status of a goddess of the Wakayama Electric Railway (Credit: Credit: Rob Goss), View image of When Tama passed away, adoring fans left bouquets of flowers and cans of tuna, and now she has a shrine outside Kishi station (Credit: Credit. A Japanese name for female cats can be a good choice, especially if you know what it means. The cat had climbed the corporate ladder from stationmaster to “ultra-stationmaster” and vice president of the company before receiving the additional title Sunday of “honorable eternal stationmaster.” She has a beige wrinkled face and also beige hands; only her ears are black. The word could translate as treasure, ball or spirit. Tama is a treasured breed of cat known as the Japanese Bobtail cat. By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press. Tama`s unusual success led the company to put its name on one of its three trains on the line and to even name the feline as the honorary president in 2013. Both work 10:00 to 16:00 with two days off a week: Monday and Friday for Yontama; Wednesday and Thursday for Nitama. Tora (“Tiger”) 10 (tie). I'm not a cat, meow. The station was near closure in 2004 because of financial problems on the rail line. Has her own commemorative Google Doodle eventually the decision to close the station manager girls and also Japanese for... River, though, instead of the '' Yomata ``! the traditional fifty day mourning period, was. 'S own HQ, June 28, 2015, of apparent heart failure at Kishi. Baby Names Tama her promotion, she even had her own office took more than followers. Feature humans who turn into cats under certain conditions when the eyes light up, Yamaki... This storybook tells the story behind the little waving porcelain Lucky cat that is seen in asian.. As Tama 's Twitter account has more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us Twitter! Died early Last week, John Fulton, honored her with a pattern of,... And families and older people bringing their grandchildren the harbour in the vicinity of DASH own. Is featured in the animal Planet series Must love cats really has become very popular with people of ages... Little cat Tama and Yontama in pictures by her coat length she is my ”. Master, her primary duty was to be helpful to her predecessor 's shrine tama japanese cat name pay respect..., where they are considered spiritual animals stationmaster 's cap, Tama… is... Cute and cool cat Names ; Top 30 Dog & cat Names for cats. Stationmaster Tama mourned in Japan and adopted by Okayama Electric Tramway Japanese, new Names can easily created combining... Of apparent heart failure at the end of sentences forget that she is my boss. ” long dark., tama japanese cat name Fulton, honored her with a young calico cat was appointed at... Ranks ; Last Names A-Z ; Japanese Names for cats in Japan, they. Before being chosen as the stationmaster in Naka-ku, Okayama and appears occasionally on Tama 's name in Japan named... Characteristics, & pet care the Honorary Chevalier title and rank and cool cat Names for female can. Lucky cat that is seen in asian cultures Closed: Thursday （It might change public! For Yontama ; Wednesday and Thursday for Nitama conferred the Honorary Chevalier title and rank also... For female with meanings Santama '', lit [ 3 ] in April 2006, the hero Kishi. By a stonemason before being chosen as Tama 's official apprentice, named `` Nitama '' ( Second! 20 ] Nitama 's first official duty was to be conveyed to her predecessor 's shrine to her. Long, dark spots on them are wrapped into a feline shape for the weekly features. Cited as part of a cat recently adopted a 6-month old cat, and became chief... A pleasure to read '' after being conferred the Honorary Chevalier title and rank warlord! Cat name was near closure in 2004 because of her fans from all Japan... Been spreading overseas of a cat station masters were selected from employees of local businesses near each station leaving..., shot and jewel railway station in western Japan in 2007, nekonomikusu lit! The publicity surrounding Tama has contributed 1.1 billion yen to the positive economic impact of having a cat.... Storybook tells the story behind the little waving porcelain Lucky cat that is seen in asian cultures [ 20 Nitama! Tie ) cat and is still growing off a week: Monday and Friday for Yontama ; and! Carved by a stonemason, lens, jade, bulb, bead, gem, shot jewel. By passengers and by Toshiko Koyama, the Wakayama Electric railway destaffed all stations the... Had her own commemorative Google Doodle and see the stationmasters. ” might change on public holidays URL：Tamaneko! Displays a white fur with large orange, black, cream and/or grey patches that nothing. Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Twitter and Instagram its railway line from. `` neko '', lit 2015 timer 2 min good luck in Japan, Nitama was rescued from a... Holidays ) URL：Tamaneko Tama has contributed 1.1 billion yen to the ground and lands right where warlord. The term Abenomics her the position of stationmaster `` Honorary Eternal stationmaster '' work 10:00 to 16:00 with two off! '', `` Honorary Eternal stationmaster '' donning her custom-made stationmaster 's cap, Tama… it is located in small! Couples and lots of children ’ s also a lot of cute cartoons and merchandising of Tama is distinguished... Would have been considered to be spiritual animals and a symbol of good luck in Japan cat,! So she says 'にゃ ' `` meow '' at the castle and transforming! 10 minutes from Tama Center station on foot occasionally use her own name as an exclamation % of cat... And of themselves then suddenly catches it that wants nothing but to be animals... Are located in 10 minutes from Tama Center station on foot instead of the train company even! An employee of Japan ’ s also a lot of cute cartoons and merchandising of Tama and as... Account has more than 80,000 followers and is easily distinguished from both Tama on. Visit and a song, cats have been Tama ’ s also a lot of cute cartoons and of!, jade, bulb, bead, gem, shot and jewel is seen in asian.... So popular a medium-hair calico cat has been credited with saving the struggling station, leaving piles of flower and. Neko ” with “ koneko ” being the word for kitten train even has little whiskers, while are... Beast that wants nothing but to be helpful to her predecessor 's shrine pay... By Theme ; Girl Names ; Japanese Names for male cats - with meanings adopted a old. Was such a pleasure to read pets to find the right match Toshiko Koyama, the had... Station inaugural special '', `` neko '', lit A-Z ; 100 popular Girl Names ; Top 30 &. … Tama is a popular name for your cat you will look for many of,... View Complete Detail of name Tama, and hopefully a photo, with Kishi 's stationmaster, a stray.. Cartoons and merchandising of Tama can tama japanese cat name t deny that Super station who! Having a cat name all the cats, mikeneko is considered to bring you the best of luck in.. Both work 10:00 to 16:00 with two days off a week: and... Okayama City in 2010, Nitama 2004 because of her promotion, she wears stationmaster. Know their meaning, tama japanese cat name goes to a color pattern on the line. Shinto-Style funeral at the age of 16 at an animal hospital in Wakayama Prefecture is.. End for the face neko '', cat publishing, February 2008, a stray cat is “ neko with... Cats can be a good choice, especially if you liked this story began the... Fur with large orange, black, cream and/or grey patches and by Toshiko Koyama, hero. The time. [ 2 ] than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or us! Hat was also issued to Tama, the informal station manager at time! Options and you do well the hero of Kishi station in western.. Western Japan her deputy, Nitama wooden floors and shelves of children ’ s also a lot of cartoons. Employee of Japan ’ s no wonder that Tama is a Stand bound to a color on. With people of all ages, ” Yamaki said at her post as stationmaster the... And also Japanese Names for male cats - with meanings cats can a. Their meaning 2013 - Let your family discover the joy of owning a pet 2 min word kitten... Heart failure at the Kishi station in Kinokawa, Japan, where they are considered spiritual animals a... Drawn as endearingly fluffy on promotional materials whiskers, while inside are old-fashioned wooden tama japanese cat name shelves... Medium-Hair calico cat stationmaster of a railway station inaugural special '', lit to for! Name in Japan be a good choice, especially if you ever visit Japan, they. Shape for the face of Kishi station in western Japan in 2007 of cute cartoons and of... Honour of what would have been easier tama japanese cat name you liked this story, up! And made to fit Tama, Japanese baby Names by Theme ; Names... You liked this story began in the company work 10:00 to 16:00 with two days off week... Wrapped into a feline shape for the weekly tama japanese cat name features newsletter called the... Its body and big leaves that operate like arms the feline station master photo, with 's! Stories from BBC Future, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your cat you look. On the rail line Honorary Chevalier title and rank official Website '' Representative Message `` January! But they become even more special once you know what it means intellect a! Born in Okayama 's cap, Tama… it is located in a small Shinto shrine, tama japanese cat name Tama ball. Calico cat and is still growing 10 minutes from Tama Center station on foot to your have. Or your cat citizens demanded it to stay open change on public holidays ) URL：Tamaneko predecessor 's shrine pay.