The Japanese Bobtail
By Allen Scruggs, NEKOMO Cattery

The Japanese aesthetic is a unique one, including not only its fascinating cultural icons such as kimono clothing, raku pottery, Haiku poetry, even its food and drink, sushi & sashimi, green tea & sake, but also its distinctive flora and fauna as well. Centuries of isolation as islands account for such exotic refinement. The feline expression of that aesthetic, the Japanese Bobtail, is delightful, charming and intensely beautiful

. JBT Block Print: click to see an enlarged image. Japanese Bobtail block print owned by Allen Scruggs and Douglas Myers.

 

Japanese religion and fine art incorporate superb illustrations of the Bobtail throughout its history. Tokyo's Gotokuji Temple (constructed in 1697), dedicated to the Maneki Neko or good luck, beckoning cat is a fine example of the former while numerous silk and hand made paper scroll paintings, woodblock prints and netsuke (small decorative carved objects used as toggles to fasten a pouch or purse to the kimono sash) attest to its status in fine art. Internationally acclaimed artists such as Chi Kanoliu (1874), Toyokune (1786-1864), even the great Hiroshige as well as Shosan and Hiromi used the Bobtail in their work.

The Bobtail's appearance in fine art notwithstanding, the breed derives from street and farm cats, cats that worked to protect silk (worms), rice and other crops from vermin. Exactly when or where the mutation that created the bobbed tail occurred is probably lost forever. Mention should be made that bobbed tail cats are seen in most of the Orient, indicating that the event probably happened in prehistoric times. Bobtails were possibly brought to Japan from Korea in the Sixth Century during the reign of Emperor Idi-Jo (986-1011) to protect manuscripts from mice. Little doubt that more is known about early Japanese history because of the Bobtail!.

The Bobtail's personality, though clearly not its appearance, is closest to that of the Abyssinian. Its quick study of a situation, short attention span and mischievous response put it in a league all its own. One should add a personality that appeals to those who love lively, spirited, not laid back cats. Bright they had to be to survive Japan's streets for centuries. In order to catch and consume vermin, cross streams (Some love water!) and avoid fastidious gardeners, Bobtails learned to adapt quickly. They even learned to delight aristocrats, peasants and, in fact, all classes with their exquisite appearance and charming skirmishes. Bobtails talk (presumably in Japanese!), though not as much as Siamese, occasionally retrieve and are often cliquish when kept in numbers.

Geisha with Japanese Bobtail: click to see an enlarged image. Early Japanese painting of a geisha with her Japanese Bobtail cat.

 

The JBT had to evolve into what we present-day enthusiasts appreciate as a singularly extraordinary breed. The ancient mutation along with its difficult environment created a "survival of the fittest" development which made for a splendid cat indeed. The Bobtail's Asian appearance which even includes slanted eyes and erect ears (like the Akita dog) complete the stylized Japanese "look" much like Kabuki or Noh players do in Japanese theater. In fact most Bobtails seen on the bench at cat shows in The United States are parti-colored, which is to say mostly or largely white like Japanese theatrical make-up.

Co-incidentally, another Japanese dog breed, The Japanese Chin, is most often seen as a parti-color. This rich, complicated history and personality also contributed to the breeds' healthy upstanding nature, which make the Japanese Bobtail an excellent pet and show choice. It is sound, usually long lived and as easily housed as most breeds, though it does not take well to being caged. Its interaction with its owners and their friends is integral to its reaching its full potential on or off the show bench.

The Japanese Bobtail is a medium sized cat with long clean lines. The body is long, lean and strong, level from hip to shoulder with the hind legs much longer than the forelegs. The level back is achieved by the deep angulation of the back legs. That conformation clearly accounts for the unique gait exhibited by Bobtails. Many think that the lack of a full tail obstructs balance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their exuberant antics can, however, result in occasional breakage!

The ideal Bobtail is Japanese in "look", that is, it has large oval, slanted eyes, high cheekbones and a noticeable whisker break. Among the important things to note when learning correct Bobtail type is that the whisker break creates a pompom not unlike the one at the other end! The "pompoms" at both ends creates a nice balance. The Bobtail's head should form an equilateral triangle not including the ears. More simply said, it is as wide as it is long. Both the Longhair and the Shorthair Bobtail are grouped in the Shorthair Division in CFA. The Shorthair division of the breed's coat, unlike that of the Manx, is medium in length and single coated. It is flat lying, smooth and silky requiring minimal grooming. The Longhair division cats require more work in line with that given other longhair breeds.

The Bobtail was accepted for CFA registration in 1969, achieved Provisional status in 1971 and full Championship recognition in 1976. The breed's US history is one that has enjoyed increasing recognition on all levels, regionally and nationally. The first Grand Champion, Maryott's Quan Yin of Amberleigh, a Mi-Ke co-owned by Patte LeBlanc and Mary Olsen heads a long list of subsequent Grands of virtually all colors. The breeds' first National (1982) CFA Award belongs to CH, GRP, NW Kitai's Mitu of Nekolady, a Mi-Ke bred by Catherine Curry and owned by Barbara Romanos. Since that time a long, distinguished list of National, Regional and Distinguished Merit winners testify to the breeds' competitive edge.

Longhair Bobtails were for years seen in the fine art of Japan's northern islands (e.g. Hokkaido). Even in the US they also sometimes appeared in Shorthair litters and were "petted out". In more recent years a number of breeders began working toward getting the Longhair Japanese Bobtail Division recognized. They were accepted to AOV status in February 1991. From that date until eligible for full Championship competition in May of 1993 a number of enthusiasts, principally Marilyn R. Knopp, showed them far and wide. The enthusiasm of breeders, exhibitors, judges and pet buyers proved strong. Marilyn's own GRC, GRP, NW MariCho's Hoseki became CFA's first Longhair Grand Champion Bobtail.

Bobtails appear in most normal cat colors and patterns: solids and bicolors; tabbies, vans, and harlequins. The majority are bicolors, vans (predominantly white cats with color found only on the head and tail with occasional spots on the legs and/or body) or harlequin (again mostly white cats with large color splashes). The Mi-Ke (pronounced mee-kay) or calico was once the most prized color. Today all colors compete equally. Lately more tabbies (mackerel) and a few dilute colors have found their way to the show ring. Just a few years back more solids were more frequently seen. A variety of eye colors occur such as gold, green, blue and even odd eyes. No one eye color is preferred.

The tail, the very thing that first identifies the breed, is as unique to the cat as its registration number. There are no known anomalies which accompany the tail producing gene(s) as is frequently the case in other structurally mutant breeds. It is thought by most that the gene(s) that produce the foreshortened tail are dominant. Though there are categories into which tails fall (shaving brush, corkscrew, a clown's pompom, fan, hook, etc.), as long as the tail is clearly visible and less than 3" long away from the body, no one tail type is preferred. It should be gently handled since it is sensitive and some parts are usually fused. It's delightful to see that most Bobtails will wiggle - Dare I say wag? - their little bunny tails, a trick that always elicits a smile.

It is important to note that overall type is more important than tail! Currently there is on going discussion among breeders to further define Bobtail type. That should prove beneficial to breeders and judges alike. A clear understanding of breed type is even helpful to pet buyers wanting a high quality looking Bobtail. In a small, connoisseur's breed such as the Bobtail many potential pet buyers want just that - a great looking specimen.

The Japanese Bobtail first gained American attention in the 1960s principally from American military families living in Japan. Elizabeth Freret, a well-known Abyssinian breeder, joined forces with CFA Allbreed judges Lynn Beck, Bess Higuchi (living in Japan), Don Thompson, and Virginia Wolf. The first kittens imported in 1968 were carefully bred and selected by an American in Japan, Judy Crawford. Recognizing the need for the Japanese Bobtail to be clearly distinguishable from the tailess Manx, CFA Allbreed judge/Board Member/Manx breeder Barbara St. Georges urged and The CFA Board of Directors granted acceptance of the leaner, longer more porcelain like cat. The cobbier, heavier boned look was to remain that favored by the Manx.

Today's Bobtail female should weigh about six pounds, males about eight pounds. These cats exhibit a more refined, racier appearance - so much so that many feel that the CFA Standard favors the female. Most Standards (e.g. the Persian, American Shorthair, etc.) favor the male resulting in some confusion when seeing a large so-called "sumo wrestler" type Bobtail. That type is neither desired nor described by The CFA Standard.

One has heard for years that the Japanese have not prized the Japanese Bobtail as we have - rather as the Maine Coon was ignored here. Many Bobtails were shown, some still are, as household pets there! Now, however, there is a growing number of Japanese cat fanciers focusing on their native breed, as there are Americans on Maine Coons.

The Japanese Bobtail is twenty-fifth of thirty-seven breeds in numbers competing in Championship for the 1998 calendar year. Fluctuating between a high of seventeenth and a low of twenty-third in the past eight years, the breeds' steady progress and high visibility has attracted new breeders, exhibitors and pet owners internationally. American-bred Bobtails are even making their way back to Japan - rather like taking coals to Newcastle!