12

Described below

Image source: http://tokyo-oasis.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2009-10-13, used without permission

I've seen on twitter a photo of a cat carrying a shamisen, with the text ねこや ("nekoya", literally "cat shop"). There's a phone number underneath of (351) 1647. The store's address is 3-6-4, yotsuya, shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (source)

What is the shop selling? Is it selling shamisens (as apparently claimed here) which are traditionally made using cats, a cat cafe, or something else?

Golden Cuy
  • 23,073
  • 16
  • 99
  • 211

1 Answers1

18

Yes, the shop sells shamisen (a type of musical instrument), and yes, good-quality shamisen are still made using cat skin.

lambshaanxy
  • 99,971
  • 45
  • 616
  • 891