A Bakeneko (化け猫) which means ‘changed cat’ is a supernatural creature that has the ability to shapeshift into a human being and often wears a towel or napkin on its head. We believe that this carving of a cat wearing a head-scarf and an apron may represent a Bakeneko. The cat seems to be on a journey and wears a water bottle on its back. The eyes of this charming carving are inlaid in a black material, most probably glass and the bottom is signed by the prolific Hong Kong carver Songshan (松山) who has created several of the netsuke in our collection. Height 5.0 cm. Width 3.1 cm. Depth 2.4 cm.