Nekomata

Nekomata (original form: 猫また, later forms: 猫又, 猫股, 猫胯) are a kind of cat yōkai described in Japanese folklore, classical kaidan, essays, etc. There are two very different types: those that live in the mountains and domestic cats that have grown old and transformed into yōkai.^[1]

Nekomata are often confused with bakeneko. The Nekomata has multiple tails, while the Bakeneko has one. Additionally while the Bakeneko is often mischievous and playful, the Nekomata is considered far more malicious in its behaviour.