What does "dora" in "dora-neko" mean? The difference from "nora-neko" and surprising facts

"Doroneko" brings to mind that nationally popular anime. While it has a somewhat cute feel, it also has a wild ring to it.

What kind of cat is a "doroneko"?

This time, the Poponeko editorial department, which wants to know everything about cats, investigated the meaning of "dora" in "doroneko," the difference between it and a stray cat, and even some surprising facts.

What does "dora" in "doroneko" mean?

There are various theories, but it seems that the "dora" in "doroneko" has the same meaning as the "dora" in "dora musuko" (prodigal son). Investigating the origin of "dora" revealed some interesting things.

"Dora" comes from the instrument "gong" (dora)

The most likely theory is that "dora" originates from the musical instrument, thegong (dora).

A gong is a type of percussion instrument where a metal disk is suspended and struck with a mallet to produce sound. It is used in various settings such as Buddhist ceremonies, orchestras, and Kabuki.

Running out of money is sometimes playfully referred to as"striking the bell" (kane o tsuku), and further rephrased as"striking the gong" (dora o utsu). Thus, the expression"striking the gong" (dora o utsu) is sometimes used to mean indulging in pleasure, squandering one's fortune, or wasting money.

In other words, a"dora musuko" refers to a son who lives off his parents and wastes money.

It's understandable that the theory states "doraku musuko" (a son indulging in pleasure without working) evolved into "dora musuko."

The relationship between "dora musuko" and "doroneko"

So, what does"doroneko" mean?

As you know, cats have lived alongside humans since ancient times as expert rodent catchers. However, some cats would live by stealing human food instead of catching mice...

It seems the word"doroneko", referring to cats that steal human food, originated from the"dora musuko" who squandered their parents' wealth.

What's the difference between a stray cat and a doroneko?

"Doroneko" and"noraneko" both refer to cats without owners, but considering their etymology, there are differences.

What is a stray cat?

Noraneko refers to cats that have no owner and live outdoors. Many of them are highly wary and territorial.

What is a "doroneko"?

Among stray cats, "doroneko" refers to cats that do bad things to humans, such as sneaking into houses to steal food, rummaging through garbage, or sharpening their claws in gardens.

The"doroneko with a fish in its mouth" from the anime "Sazae-san" song is exactly the image of a doroneko.

Also good to know: "Community cats" and "feral cats (noneko)"

Cat rescue activities have become widely known, and terms such as"community cats" and"feral cats (noneko)" are now commonly heard.

Let's learn about what kind of cats these are.

First, let's understand rescue cats

"Rescue cats" areownerless cats that have been rescued by animal welfare organizations or volunteers, due to various circumstances such as being abandoned or injured.

They temporarily stay in shelters where their health is checked, they receive vaccinations, and, if necessary, spay/neuter surgery. Afterwards, they are put up for adoption to find new owners.

What is a community cat?

Cats that are caught, spayed/neutered, and then returned to their original location to be managed by the community are called"community cats." As a mark that they have been spayed/neutered, their ears are slightly clipped to resemble cherry blossoms, so they are also known as"sakura cats."

This kind of activity is calledTNR and is one of the cat protection activities carried out to prevent the increase of ownerless cats and to avoid euthanasia.

What are feral cats (noneko)?

Feral cats are domesticated cats that have become wild. They are sometimes written in Katakana as "noneko." They live in mountains, fields, and forests away from human habitation, preying on small animals like mice and birds.

Surprising facts about doroneko

Unraveling the term "doroneko" reveals the environment surrounding cats and some surprising facts.

Doraemon's "Dora" comes from "Doroneko"

Doraemon, the cat-type robot from another nationally popular anime, "Doraemon," is said to have been named by adding the Japanese-sounding"emon" to the"dora" from "doroneko."

Furthermore, it was decided that Doraemon would like dorayaki because of his name.

Incidentally, there are theories that the "dora" in dorayaki comes from "its shape and color resembling a gong" or "it was baked on a gong instead of an iron plate."

Doroneko don't necessarily like fish

Cats arecarnivores. They prefer to eat meat, which is their source of protein. While there's an image of cats liking fish, this is actually a perception unique to Japan.

Since Japanese people historically ate more fish than meat, cats living with humans also started eating fish. Many cats also like bonito flakes and tuna.

However, feeding raw fish to cats is a concern, and shrimp, crab, octopus, squid, and abalone can be harmful to their health. Be careful at the dinner table.

Summary

"Doroneko" is not necessarily used in a negative sense; it can also be used affectionately for playful, gluttonous, and adorable cats.

The word "doroneko" was born from the long-standing relationship between humans and cats. Considering its meaning and origin, it also draws attention to the environment and issues surrounding cats.

We hope this information helps you learn more about cats.