On a small island off Japan’s northeastern coast, there is an unlikely guardian angel: cats. A shrine to cats on the Japanese island of Tashirojima.

The animals outnumber humans on the island of Tashirojima, and there is even a “Neko Jinja,” or cat shrine, to honour their presence.

Legend says the island used to be famous for sericulture and farmers would keep cats because they would chase away rats, protecting the silkworm cocoons from the rodents.

Fishermen on the island have also traditionally believed that cats bring good luck, including large hauls of fish.
Another legend says fishermen used to watch the cats’ behavior for tips on the coming weather before heading to sea.

The islanders have long coexisted with the cats. One day, however, a fisherman accidentally injured a cat while working. Feeling sorry for the injury, the islanders built the shrine for cats.