This Japanese Photographer Specializes In Shooting Ninja Cats, And The Result Is Too Purrfect
Turns out, cats know more martial arts than ninjutsu. Japanese photographer Hisakata Hiroyuki has decided to dedicate a fair portion of his time to shooting cats during their totally serious combat practices, and the result is purrrfect.
Threatening stares, explosive kicks, powerful punches, Hiroyuki has captured it all. He has successfully proven that felines have unlocked all of the secret fighting techniques, and even Mr. Miyagi could learn a thing or two from these martial arts masters. Scroll down to check out the amusing images and upvote your favorites.
More info: Instagram | Twitter (h/t petapixel)
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How the hell he took this pic, was cat flying 4-5 meters high, or we just rolling on ground waiting for cat to jump.
Yes, I agree with Ajax! Cats very carefully calculate their intentional leaps across a high/wide space in order to maintain full control of their motion and make a stable landing. But look at the trajectories and position of their bodies: most of these 'flying' pix show the cat twisting to achieve control to a good landing position, and their toes are spread and claws out to try to find help to stop the momentum on the way down. That wouldn't be happening if their flight was intended, they appear to be reacting to an involuntary event. Don't know if throwing cats up in the air that way is harmful, but I sure as heck would not allow anyone do that to my cat or anyone else's.
Load More Replies... I think I have it figured out. He laid on the ground while someone dropped a cat above him. The cat twists to land on its feet.
"And everyone was cat-fu fighting! Their paws were fast as lightning!"
Another candidate for photoshopping - maybe a mic and some lights and backing dancers...
Bottom cat: "Morris said he would meet me here for my first flying lesson. I wonder where he got to?"
Street cat fighters have to be ready at all times. So practice, practice, practice.
this made my day, thanks, really..... this is the kind of silly things that make me love BP
Disclaimer - no kitties were harmed in the taking of these photos! Stunning pictures.
Perhaps not physically, but would you enjoy being chucked about for the entertainment of others?...
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What REALLY gets me about these is the absolute calm on most of their faces. It really shows how cats are in their element when playing in this way.
They're concentrating on landing on their feet because he threw them.
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Mostly, this looks like a guy throwing cats and taking photos of them while they're still in the air. Which makes him an a*****e.
I think the cats are playing dude. Cats do these things EVERY day of their lives. LOL
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Been around cats for over 40 years. A lot of these cats were *THROWN* or were *FALLING* (Hmm, wonder how.) And many faces show shock or fear or focus, not "happy". Do people know cats at all?! This isn't cute, this is horrible!
Before I'm told I don't know... Cats don't jump sideways and turn at that angle *naturally* IN PLAYTIME! I have seen and been around cats since my birth. Only see these twisting actions mid-air if there's a fall involved, especially with NO TOYS in evidence. Read a book yourself, or better yet, actually watch cats. Most of these cats were not caught playing. I *know* cats. I *know* animal behavior. Many of these cats were falling or were being caught on film just as they landed. Watch film of cats falling. In slow-mo. THESE PICS are identical to that.... the twisting motion, the body language, the extension of claws to try to catch at something to stop a fall... Also, the other cats aren't doing anything to indicate that they're mid-play in most of the pics. I don't care if the photographer says no cats were harmed. Is he also a veterinarian with X-ray vision?!
Load More Replies... Throwing cats in the air and off high places to take pictures? No thanks. There's no "cute" in this. ..... And yes, I know he claims no cats were hurt - and that doesn't matter. If you know anything about cats, these guys look alternately nervous, scared, or angry, not with each other, with him.
Ninja kitties for sure, this photographer has the purrfect timing to take the pics!!! 💖💖💖
If you look at his instagram feed the earlier photos all show the cats jumping to bat at a toy mouse on a string. They are not being dropped.
I can not in good conscience condone this photographers work. So many of these cats have been dropped or thrown ...not cool. I've worked with cats since my childhood and I can read their body language like book and very few of these cats are enjoying playing...most are being thrown around for entertainment. It's the clenched jaw that gives it away, and the focus of the eyes and ears on the ground instead of at a toy/treat/ other cat. Those are not the bright sparking eyes and relaxed face of a cat having fun. He may say they were not physically harmed, but I'm pretty sure anyone would have trust issues after being chucked about like a rugby ball.
Port cards this guy is just throwing them in the air and taking a picture of them as they plummet back to earth.
Real ninjas are NEVER photographed so I think these cats are apprentice ninjas or ...disguised as civilian cats lol
Can we please stop using "purrfect" and "pawsome"? Wasn't brilliant in the first place and it certainly doesn't get any better by using it every two weeks.
Why, be so negative... just be HAPPY and enjoy these amazing pics... no kitty's were harmed, it's called be talented, and artistic and sharing your craft. Life is short.....smile and enjoy....better to share happiness instead all of the sh&** that happens daily.
this made my day, thanks, really..... this is the kind of silly things that make me love BP
Disclaimer - no kitties were harmed in the taking of these photos! Stunning pictures.
Perhaps not physically, but would you enjoy being chucked about for the entertainment of others?...
Load More Replies... What REALLY gets me about these is the absolute calm on most of their faces. It really shows how cats are in their element when playing in this way.
They're concentrating on landing on their feet because he threw them.
Load More Replies... Mostly, this looks like a guy throwing cats and taking photos of them while they're still in the air. Which makes him an a*****e.
I think the cats are playing dude. Cats do these things EVERY day of their lives. LOL
Load More Replies... Been around cats for over 40 years. A lot of these cats were *THROWN* or were *FALLING* (Hmm, wonder how.) And many faces show shock or fear or focus, not "happy". Do people know cats at all?! This isn't cute, this is horrible!
Before I'm told I don't know... Cats don't jump sideways and turn at that angle *naturally* IN PLAYTIME! I have seen and been around cats since my birth. Only see these twisting actions mid-air if there's a fall involved, especially with NO TOYS in evidence. Read a book yourself, or better yet, actually watch cats. Most of these cats were not caught playing. I *know* cats. I *know* animal behavior. Many of these cats were falling or were being caught on film just as they landed. Watch film of cats falling. In slow-mo. THESE PICS are identical to that.... the twisting motion, the body language, the extension of claws to try to catch at something to stop a fall... Also, the other cats aren't doing anything to indicate that they're mid-play in most of the pics. I don't care if the photographer says no cats were harmed. Is he also a veterinarian with X-ray vision?!
Load More Replies... Throwing cats in the air and off high places to take pictures? No thanks. There's no "cute" in this. ..... And yes, I know he claims no cats were hurt - and that doesn't matter. If you know anything about cats, these guys look alternately nervous, scared, or angry, not with each other, with him.
Ninja kitties for sure, this photographer has the purrfect timing to take the pics!!! 💖💖💖
If you look at his instagram feed the earlier photos all show the cats jumping to bat at a toy mouse on a string. They are not being dropped.
I can not in good conscience condone this photographers work. So many of these cats have been dropped or thrown ...not cool. I've worked with cats since my childhood and I can read their body language like book and very few of these cats are enjoying playing...most are being thrown around for entertainment. It's the clenched jaw that gives it away, and the focus of the eyes and ears on the ground instead of at a toy/treat/ other cat. Those are not the bright sparking eyes and relaxed face of a cat having fun. He may say they were not physically harmed, but I'm pretty sure anyone would have trust issues after being chucked about like a rugby ball.
Port cards this guy is just throwing them in the air and taking a picture of them as they plummet back to earth.
Real ninjas are NEVER photographed so I think these cats are apprentice ninjas or ...disguised as civilian cats lol
Can we please stop using "purrfect" and "pawsome"? Wasn't brilliant in the first place and it certainly doesn't get any better by using it every two weeks.
Why, be so negative... just be HAPPY and enjoy these amazing pics... no kitty's were harmed, it's called be talented, and artistic and sharing your craft. Life is short.....smile and enjoy....better to share happiness instead all of the sh&** that happens daily.
