This is Setsubun, which is Japanese for the end of winter, and Maru and Not Maru are celebrating the arrival of spring. Not Maru is dressed as an oni, a Japanese ogre thought to be undefeatable.
While Maru, on the other hand, is dressed as … oh dear.
From Maru-watcher Andrew Y.! More on Maru’s website.
Those cats have a fantastic life, so they should put up with a little indignity now and then! Love them so much.
Maru does not look thrilled and Not Maru (Hana) is smashing with her long eyelashes!
I have five cats of my own and still I love Maru and Hana!
Maru-watcher indeed >:3 XD
It sure doesn’t feel like the end of winter here, and that second getup certainly gives me a chill!
It is Imbolc or Candelmas, a Celtic holiday for the midpoint between the Winter Solstice & the Spring Equinox. It’s never really the end of winter, but I think people like to know that the winter is half over!
Ah, thanks!
Purrr perfection.
I want to see both cats in a Kabuki performance celebrating Setsubun.
How could Maru NOT see his shadow. It’s big enough…