{
  "id": 15685248,
  "title": "'Cat temple' in Japan creates dog-themed talisman to ward off harassment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/cat-temple-in-japan-creates-dog-themed-talisman-to-ward-off-harassment",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T02:23:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261020/p2a/00m/0na/003000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hagi, a city in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, is home to the Unrinji Temple, a temple renowned for its over 1,000 cat statues and real pet cats. The temple's chief priest, Jisei Sumida, has created a new talisman named Harasumento chogofu (Anti-harassment talisman) to combat harassment. This talisman depicts a dog, intriguing given the temple's strong association with cats. Sumida explained that the dog motif was inspired by the origin of the English word \"harass,\" which is linked to a French term used to urge hunting dogs after they find prey. The new charm, costing 1,000 yen, is meant to provide peace and calm to those troubled by harassment, serving as a reminder to stop harsh words and promote understanding. The talisman was designed over three years and is now available for purchase by the public.",
  "summary": "HAGI, Yamaguchi -- A \"cat temple\" in this western Japan city has created a talisman aimed at discouraging harassment.Unrinji Temple in Hagi, Yamaguchi",
  "key_points": [
    "Unrinji Temple in Hagi, Japan, houses over 1,000 cat statues and real pet cats.",
    "Chief priest Jisei Sumida created Harasumento chogofu, a dog-themed talisman.",
    "The anti-harassment talisman costs 1,000 yen and aims to promote understanding."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The temple’s pivot from its feline identity to a canine motif signals a creative attempt to address social friction through spiritual symbols rooted in linguistic history.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "In Photos: Dog-themed anti-harassment talisman debuts at Japan 'cat temple'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/in-photos-dog-themed-anti-harassment-talisman-debuts-at-japan-cat",
        "published": "2026-10-20T02:25:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}