Neko Yoke
(
27)
Thu 2006/03/16 23:15
When I first came to Japan, I saw these bottles of water all over the place. They were usually located near a wall or lamp posts outside houses. I had absolutely no idea what these bottles were for and could only think of one logical reason - that they were put there by Keron aliens for a laugh.
On my second visit to Japan, I bothered to ask my friend and he said that they served the purpose of scaring off cats. Neko Yoke (pronounced Neko yo-kair) is the word used to describe these bottles of water or devices that scare cats away.
Apparently, reflections in the water are supposed to generate holograms of fifteen feet tall fire breathing dragons which cats generally dont like. Another theory (which sounds unlikely) is that the suns reflections in the water scares cats.
So now you know. But whatever you do, if you're thirsty and want a bottle of water - dont go onto a Seven Eleven asking for "Neko Yoke".
On my second visit to Japan, I bothered to ask my friend and he said that they served the purpose of scaring off cats. Neko Yoke (pronounced Neko yo-kair) is the word used to describe these bottles of water or devices that scare cats away.
Apparently, reflections in the water are supposed to generate holograms of fifteen feet tall fire breathing dragons which cats generally dont like. Another theory (which sounds unlikely) is that the suns reflections in the water scares cats.
So now you know. But whatever you do, if you're thirsty and want a bottle of water - dont go onto a Seven Eleven asking for "Neko Yoke".
I dont know about bottles of water but this is my type of Neko Yoke - an Imperial Blaster. If you set the blaster to "high", you can melt the cat without any mess at all - the remains get so hot that it evaporates. Any carrots, corn or spinach that the cat may have had for dinner is immune to your blaster which could be handy if you're feeling peckish (somewhat hungry) at the time.
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berNERD in Philippines
fire breathing dragons... haha that's funny.
(ID #35995) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Jason in New York
hahaha... japan have many stray cats? I wish i can pick one up for pet.
(ID #35996) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
kevin in IN THE GREAT KINGDOM OF KEVIN(...
lol, very funny... does this works for dogs or beggers? just kidding =P
(ID #35997) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Chaos Incarnate in Pasco, WA, USA
What about ex-girlfriends, doe sit work for that too?
(ID #35998) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Chopper Dave in Medford, Oregon
Wow thats really supposed to scare off cats? Not really sure who thought of that briliant idea lol
(ID #36001) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
F.R.A.M.E. in manila, ADMU
Just make cats like you and they will, most of the time, leave you alone and come around only to tell of important things or if they want or need something from you... No, really...
(ID #36002) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Yokoshima in SF Bay Area
I always wondered what they were for when I was living over there. I never bothered to ask and just assumed that they were there to get refilled, sort of like milk bottles
(ID #36003) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Ron Johnson in Boat
Damn dragons with no corporeal bodies which cast reflections to scare off cats! And Danny tape a a water bottle to the blaster, the dragon hologram will heighten the effect of terror.
(ID #36004) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Richard in Tokyo
Ah, so that's what they're for! A similar thing is the people who live in tall apartment buildings tying CDs to the balcony to scare crows away. Not sure how effective that is, either...
(ID #36005) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Web Developer (i.e. Otaku)
Tokyo's crow things are scary as hell.
(ID #194858) Posted on 2008/05/23 20:20
NickC in SFU, Vancouver
hehe Neko! Neko means cat. Yay I feel that I learned something today. Hey Danny if you run out of blaster ammunition, maybe you could try a Thermite bomb on the cats or anything that seems to be annoying. And if you run out of that, take out a lightsaber and WHAM! Cheerio
(ID #36006) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Demacrez in Strike-Freedom
Water bottles reflecting light off of them to scare off cats? Pff, that's so illogical, the dragon thing is much more believable. But if that works for cats, you think it'll work on those pesky door-to-door salesmen? They always come to you for food(money) and will always keep coming back if you give them some. The blaster technique is a great one to keep those Neko out of your hair. I prefer using a Gundam, stepping on them is much more easier than aiming. It's almost effortless!
(ID #36007) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Nathan in Los Angeles
Ah for pesky salesmen just start collecting airsoft guns. When they knock grab a rag and come to the door with the gun while "polishing it" Politely say "I'm not interested but thanks" The key is when you say thanks change your facial expression to something grimacing. They won't come back.
(ID #36011) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Anvero Haji in Ukraine
...mmm...why do people make cats scared in Japan?
(ID #36012) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Kari in Seattle
Danny that is awesome, you really crack me up!
(ID #36014) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
water bottles to scare off cats? The only way cats are afraid of water bottles is if you hit them with one!
(ID #36018) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Will Burnham in 18 miles west of Baltimore, MD...
I wanted to share with you that I just completed my Emperor's Royal Guard costume! You can see it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/manahanwill/113379212/ and on my personal web page. I can now do some trooping - or guarding - on my own! May the Force be with you.
(ID #36032) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
TIE_Defender2nd in Vancouver, Canada
Ohhh.... sweet Imperial Royal Guard costume man~ awsome job! ...and that EVA figure also look hot as well.
(ID #36036) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
SaanKiip in Adelaide
I grew up in a place called Redcliffe (in Australia) and they used to do the exact same thing with the bottles filled with water, but it was suppose to stop dogs from pissing on the garden. I don't think it worked then, and I don't think it would work now, in Japan.
(ID #36058) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
nEPHITA in São Paulo - Brasil
In Brazil they put those damn water bottles over the electric counter so they can "save" some energy...
(ID #36412) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
marvn in the office hogging the interne...
does it really work? there's a big nasty stray cat that keeps on eating my dog's food. I'll probably try it out and see if it works. altho personally I think throwing the bottle at the cat might be more effective. :D
(ID #38823) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
Gordon Pekeur in south africa -cape town-
folks in S.A tried that too back in the day, that REALLY doesnt work!! Its just a waste of good H2O
(ID #40023) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
D_Blade in Does "somewhere" cou...
Well, a watergun should be enough to scare cats off, I would still pity the poor animal (but I wonder if it would be the ultimate weapon against lions and other big felines... Hmm!) If a cat is daring enough to make the bottle fall off, it may work. I think cat detectors would be perfect then to complete the scheme, but it would be much more expensive. What are they so afraid of anyway ? neko poo ? *laughs insanely* Remember people, even if you're ultra-thirsty, do not drink in random bottles!
(ID #41767) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:11
In Mexico put the same but for the dogs
(ID #58158) Posted on 2007/10/01 05:12
Part trooper, part santa, 100% loser
Usually my ugly face can scare off even wild bears... So yea...
(ID #70559) Posted on 2008/01/24 14:53
berNERD in Philippines
fire breathing dragons... haha that's funny.
(ID #77999) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Jason in New York
hahaha... japan have many stray cats? I wish i can pick one up for pet.
(ID #78000) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
kevin in IN THE GREAT KINGDOM OF KEVIN(...
lol, very funny... does this works for dogs or beggers? just kidding =P
(ID #78001) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Chaos Incarnate in Pasco, WA, USA
What about ex-girlfriends, doe sit work for that too?
(ID #78002) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Chopper Dave in Medford, Oregon
Wow thats really supposed to scare off cats? Not really sure who thought of that briliant idea lol
(ID #78005) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
F.R.A.M.E. in manila, ADMU
Just make cats like you and they will, most of the time, leave you alone and come around only to tell of important things or if they want or need something from you... No, really...
(ID #78006) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Yokoshima in SF Bay Area
I always wondered what they were for when I was living over there. I never bothered to ask and just assumed that they were there to get refilled, sort of like milk bottles
(ID #78007) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Ron Johnson in Boat
Damn dragons with no corporeal bodies which cast reflections to scare off cats! And Danny tape a a water bottle to the blaster, the dragon hologram will heighten the effect of terror.
(ID #78008) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Richard in Tokyo
Ah, so that's what they're for! A similar thing is the people who live in tall apartment buildings tying CDs to the balcony to scare crows away. Not sure how effective that is, either...
(ID #78009) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
NickC in SFU, Vancouver
hehe Neko! Neko means cat. Yay I feel that I learned something today. Hey Danny if you run out of blaster ammunition, maybe you could try a Thermite bomb on the cats or anything that seems to be annoying. And if you run out of that, take out a lightsaber and WHAM! Cheerio
(ID #78010) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Demacrez in Strike-Freedom
Water bottles reflecting light off of them to scare off cats? Pff, that's so illogical, the dragon thing is much more believable. But if that works for cats, you think it'll work on those pesky door-to-door salesmen? They always come to you for food(money) and will always keep coming back if you give them some. The blaster technique is a great one to keep those Neko out of your hair. I prefer using a Gundam, stepping on them is much more easier than aiming. It's almost effortless!
(ID #78011) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Nathan in Los Angeles
Ah for pesky salesmen just start collecting airsoft guns. When they knock grab a rag and come to the door with the gun while "polishing it" Politely say "I'm not interested but thanks" The key is when you say thanks change your facial expression to something grimacing. They won't come back.
(ID #78015) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Anvero Haji in Ukraine
...mmm...why do people make cats scared in Japan?
(ID #78016) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Kari in Seattle
Danny that is awesome, you really crack me up!
(ID #78018) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
water bottles to scare off cats? The only way cats are afraid of water bottles is if you hit them with one!
(ID #78022) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Will Burnham in 18 miles west of Baltimore, MD...
I wanted to share with you that I just completed my Emperor's Royal Guard costume! You can see it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/manahanwill/113379212/ and on my personal web page. I can now do some trooping - or guarding - on my own! May the Force be with you.
(ID #78036) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
TIE_Defender2nd in Vancouver, Canada
Ohhh.... sweet Imperial Royal Guard costume man~ awsome job! ...and that EVA figure also look hot as well.
(ID #78040) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
SaanKiip in Adelaide
I grew up in a place called Redcliffe (in Australia) and they used to do the exact same thing with the bottles filled with water, but it was suppose to stop dogs from pissing on the garden. I don't think it worked then, and I don't think it would work now, in Japan.
(ID #78062) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
nEPHITA in São Paulo - Brasil
In Brazil they put those damn water bottles over the electric counter so they can "save" some energy...
(ID #78416) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
marvn in the office hogging the interne...
does it really work? there's a big nasty stray cat that keeps on eating my dog's food. I'll probably try it out and see if it works. altho personally I think throwing the bottle at the cat might be more effective. :D
(ID #80827) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
Gordon Pekeur in south africa -cape town-
folks in S.A tried that too back in the day, that REALLY doesnt work!! Its just a waste of good H2O
(ID #82027) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
D_Blade in Does "somewhere" cou...
Well, a watergun should be enough to scare cats off, I would still pity the poor animal (but I wonder if it would be the ultimate weapon against lions and other big felines... Hmm!) If a cat is daring enough to make the bottle fall off, it may work. I think cat detectors would be perfect then to complete the scheme, but it would be much more expensive. What are they so afraid of anyway ? neko poo ? *laughs insanely* Remember people, even if you're ultra-thirsty, do not drink in random bottles!
(ID #83771) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:00
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