About
As you proceed along the east corridor of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, you will find a small wooden carving of a cat quietly sleeping above the Sakashita Gate, which leads to the inner shrine. This “Sleeping Cat” is said to be the work of the master craftsman Hidari Jingoro. Although it is a small sculpture, approximately 15 centimeters tall and 20 centimeters wide, its presence is immeasurable. The cat closes its eyes beneath a peony flower, wearing a peaceful expression.
Behind this cat, two sparrows playing in a bamboo grove are also carved. Normally, cats and sparrows have a predator-prey relationship, but here, the cat is sleeping and the sparrows are depicted playing without fear. This is said to symbolize a peaceful world where the strong and the weak coexist. It is imbued with praise for the reign of Tokugawa Ieyasu, expressing a wish for an era of peace so secure that even a cat can sleep soundly.
However, there is also a theory that this cat is actually sleeping with its eyes slightly open, guarding the mausoleum of Ieyasu. According to this interpretation, it only appears to be sleeping, but is always ready to pounce. In this way, the Sleeping Cat is not merely a decoration, but contains a variety of meanings and stories.
Many legends also remain about Hidari Jingoro, who is said to have created the Sleeping Cat. His works were so exquisite that they were rumored to have souls, and it was said they would come to life at night. Because of this, there is a tale that Jingoro covered the cat’s eyes, turning it into a sleeping cat. Such legends further enhance the mystique of the Sleeping Cat.
The Sleeping Cat of Nikko Toshogu Shrine is not just a sculpture, but a presence that conveys multifaceted messages of peace, coexistence, and vigilance. As visitors sense the profound meaning contained in its small form, they are sure to feel the weight of history and culture.