The Story Of How Tama, The Train Station Cat, Became The Patron Goddess Of The Station
This is the story of Tama, the calico cat, who became Japan's feline star of a struggling local railway, Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line, in Wakayama Prefecture, turned legend and Goddess of the station.
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The start of it all:
Tama, a calico cat, was first appointed stationmaster at the Kishi station in western Japan in 2007. Donning her custom-made stationmaster's cap, Tama quietly sat at the ticket gate welcoming and seeing off passengers. It wasn't long until Tama became wide-known, attracting tourists and world-famous. In turn, contributing to the railway company (that had been struggling) and the local economy.
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Dressed for success
Before Tama's arrival, the local Kishigawa Line was near-bankrupt; and the station was unmanned as it had lost its last staff.
Mr. Kojima, Wakayama Electric Railway president, said appointing Tama as stationmaster was initially an excuse to keep the cat at the station. "But she was really doing her job," he said. The rest was a miracle, and his company's success story also gave hope for dozens of other struggling tiny local train lines.
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Keeping a watchful eye on patrons
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Tama, the train conductor, reporting for duty!
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Adored by all
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The train got a new look -- all thanks to Tama
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In 2015, Tama unfortunately passed away but residents and admirers came flooding to her funeral to share their appreciation
Tama, who had turned 16 in April, died of heart failure on June 22, 2015. And it was during Tama's Sunday's Shinto-style funeral, she became a goddess.
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So much love for Tama
In one of several portraits decorating the altar, Tama posed in a stationmaster's hat and a dark blue cape. Sake, watermelon, apples, cabbage, and other fruits and vegetables were presented to the cat.
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A stand outside the station was heaped with bouquets, canned tuna and other gifts left by thousands of Tama fans who came to pray from around the country.
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Tama becomes a unforgettable legend
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Nitama steps up to the plate
According to the Telegraph, "An exhaustive search and thorough selection process followed the June passing of the former cat in charge, the beloved Tama, who had been in the role since 2007, and now the station has found her replacement, Nitama.
The five-year-old, a graduate of Cat Stationmaster Training School, previously served as the stationmaster at Idakiso Station before being promoted to Tama's deputy at Kishi in the rural neighborhood of Kinokawa."
"The reason I appointed Nitama as a successor to Tama is that she had teaching experience from Tama directly," he said. "Tama was very mild and she seldom got angry, though she was strict with her subordinate Nitama."
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The protege Yontama
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The legacy lives on
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An honorable legacy, indeed.
Certainly makes the world seem like a better place knowing these beautiful cats are at Japan train stations, respected for all their hard work.
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