[imagesource: Twitter / @bijutsu1]

Japan has a very particular relationship with its stray cats.

A long-standing relationship between a security guard at the Onomichi City Museum of Art in Hiroshima and two of the area’s strays is an archetypal illustration.

Every morning, the old guard is greeted with enthusiasm by Ken-chan, a small black cat, and Go-chan, his ginger collaborator.

It might be because they are only after getting into the museum, eager to slip through the sliding glass doors when the guard opens them for the day.

But something tells me it’s because the cats have formed an unshakable bond with the senior door-protector, following him around and patiently waiting for his return whenever he is not at the premises:

『おはニャ。🐈‍⬛Good morning.』(20220420) 🎨開館前、久しぶりに正面に。。遅いニャー！#尾道 #尾道市立美術館 #猫 #cat pic.twitter.com/nNZwCGPWqC

— 尾道市立美術館 (@bijutsu1) April 19, 2022

Either way, their heart-melting routine has been ongoing for many years now, reported My Modern Met:

It all began in 2016 when the museum debuted an exhibit of cat photography and art, which seemed to attract stray cats from all over the neighborhood who tried to sneak in. Five years later, Ken-chan and Go-chan still haven’t given up.

…Ken-chan, who belongs to a nearby restaurant, has developed a bond with the guard over the years—the cat walks to the  museum each morning and waits for him at the entrance. His loyalty never waned—even while the museum was closed for two months during the pandemic, Ken-chan took the guard’s place at the entrance but was thrilled when his friend returned, relinquished his post and picked up their unique companionship where it left off.

Since this established bond seems sure on staying, Ken-chan has been honoured with a collar as the museum’s kitty mascot, with the gift shop now selling cat calendars and card games with illustrations based on him and his feline friends.

The museum even regularly updates fans with the latest antics between the trio on Twitter:

時をかける猫猫009 “Cats Who Leapt Through Time”(20210421)

『待ったニャー！👮‍♂️🐈‍⬛
I’ve been waiting.』ほぼ 1年前🎨ケンちゃん、遅いニャと背伸び！#尾道市立美術館 #尾道 #猫 #cat pic.twitter.com/zvBnS0FIqr

— 尾道市立美術館 (@bijutsu1) April 22, 2022

時をかける猫猫004 “Cats Who Leapt Through Time”(20190417)

『ピースメーカー🐈👮‍♂️🐈‍⬛peacemaker』ちょうど 3年前🎨喧嘩したらダメよぉと間に入る警備員さん！#尾道市立美術館 #尾道 #猫 #cat pic.twitter.com/zVIm01GUeQ

— 尾道市立美術館 (@bijutsu1) April 16, 2022

『フェイント👮‍♂️😺feint 』(2019/7/23) 🎨油断させてからの忍び足。やるニャ、ケンちゃん！#尾道 #千光寺公園 #尾道市立美術館 #黒猫 #cat #ニャー展 pic.twitter.com/bj4Nxm0mWg

— 尾道市立美術館 (@bijutsu1) July 23, 2019

Japan sure does love capitalising on a good mascot.

And why not, exactly?

『ケンちゃんよぉ！👮‍♂️🐈‍⬛Hey Ken-chan!』(20220420) 🎨警備員さんに誘われて正面玄関へ！#尾道 #尾道市立美術館 #猫 #cat pic.twitter.com/3G2ZyoIOJA

— 尾道市立美術館 (@bijutsu1) April 22, 2022

Kawaii.

[source:mymodernmet]