Which cat breed has a naturally short tail and is associated with Japan?

The Japanese Bobtail is the cat breed associated with Japan that has a naturally short tail.

Its tail is a defining individual feature: each cat’s tail is shaped differently, much like a human fingerprint. It may be kinked, curved, or formed from several bends, but it is typically much shorter than the tail of an ordinary long-tailed cat. The short tail results from a naturally occurring genetic trait.

Japanese Bobtails have been depicted in Japanese art for centuries, and the raised-paw figures commonly sold as lucky cat ornaments are often associated with this general bobtailed image. However, the breed itself is not identical to every short-tailed cat found in Japan.

The Japanese Bobtail differs from the Manx, which comes from the Isle of Man and may have no tail at all. It also differs from the American Bobtail, a separate breed developed in North America.