How to Read “猫にまたたび”
Neko ni matatabi
Meaning of “猫にまたたび”
“Cat to catnip” means giving someone what they most prefer, or something that will definitely be effective.
This expression, born from the intense and reliable reaction that cats show toward matatabi, is used in situations where one takes the most effective approach after thoroughly understanding the other person’s preferences or weaknesses. This applies to situations such as providing products that capture customers’ hearts in business, or bringing up topics that a person is most interested in when trying to persuade them.
Beyond simply meaning to give someone what they like, it also carries the implication of “a method that will definitely work.” Just as giving matatabi to a cat will always produce a reaction, it’s also used to express using foolproof means or methods. Even today, it’s sometimes used in sales and negotiation situations with phrases like “For that person, this proposal is like cat to catnip – it’s sure to work.”
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “cat to catnip” is based on the peculiar reaction that cats show toward the plant called matatabi (silver vine). Matatabi is a deciduous climbing woody plant of the Actinidiaceae family that grows wild in Japan, China, and the Korean Peninsula, and has long been known as a medicinal herb.
It has been observed since ancient times that when cats smell this plant, they writhe their bodies as if intoxicated, roll around, and show expressions of ecstasy. This phenomenon occurs because components called matatabiolactone and actinidine contained in matatabi stimulate cats’ sense of smell and induce a kind of excited state.
There are descriptions of the relationship between cats and matatabi in Edo period literature, suggesting that people knew about this mysterious phenomenon even then. The effect of this plant, which causes cats to show an intense reaction unlike anything else, is thought to have become established in proverbs as a symbol of “what a person likes most” or “something that will definitely work.”
The background to the birth of this proverb likely lies in the Japanese people’s keen observational skills regarding animals and their rich linguistic sense of expressing natural phenomena in terms of human relationships.
Interesting Facts
Matatabi only affects feline animals and has no effect on dogs whatsoever. Even more interestingly, some kittens and adult cats may not be affected by matatabi. This is due to genetic factors, and it has been found that the ability to respond to matatabi is dominantly inherited.
During the Edo period, matatabi was called “cat’s sake” and was actually sold as entertainment for cats. The fact that matatabi is used in cat toys at modern pet shops could be said to be a continuation of this tradition.
Usage Examples
- The topic of sweets is like cat to catnip for her – she always takes the bait
- This new product will be like cat to catnip for young women – it’s sure to sell
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “cat to catnip” appears in more complex and diverse forms. In the SNS era, individual preferences and behavioral patterns are accumulated as data, and systems have been built where algorithms automatically provide “cat to catnip for that person.”
YouTube’s recommended videos, Amazon’s product suggestions, and Instagram’s ad displays can be said to be digital versions of “cat to catnip.” These systems analyze your preferences from past behavior and present content that will definitely capture your interest.
On the other hand, there are aspects of this convenience that require caution. By having our preferences targeted so accurately, we may become trapped in comfortable information bubbles and lose opportunities for new discoveries and growth. Additionally, in the marketing world, research into consumer psychology has advanced, making “cat to catnip” techniques more sophisticated.
However, in human relationships, the feelings of understanding others’ preferences and wanting to please them remain as important now as they were in the past. But in modern times, rather than uniform “cat to catnip,” perhaps more delicate approaches that respect individual diversity are required.
When AI Hears This
The euphoric response cats show to catnip occurs when a volatile compound called nepetalactone stimulates the cat’s vomeronasal organ (Jacobson’s organ). While this organ has atrophied in humans, it’s highly developed in cats. When it detects nepetalactone, it sends signals directly to the hypothalamus, triggering a massive release of neurotransmitters associated with sexual arousal and pleasure. What’s fascinating is that this response is completely instinctive—cats lose all capacity for rational judgment.
Humans have long observed this phenomenon and incorporated it into language as the perfect metaphor for “irresistible attraction.” This is because cats’ catnip response is remarkably similar to human desire mechanisms. Modern neuroscience shows that when humans encounter something they “absolutely must have,” their prefrontal cortex’s rational judgment functions become suppressed just like in cats, while their reward circuits go into overdrive.
What’s particularly noteworthy about this metaphor’s linguistic evolution is how ethological observation became a tool for expressing the essence of human psychology. “Like catnip to a cat” isn’t just a simple comparison—it’s a masterpiece that captures the universal, cross-species phenomenon of biological impulses that transcend reason. In a sense, humans used cats to scientifically understand the true nature of their own uncontrollable desires.
Lessons for Today
What “cat to catnip” teaches us modern people is the importance of understanding others. Rather than superficial relationships, the attitude of trying to know what a person truly values and what brings them genuine joy creates deep connections.
Whether in business or human relationships, rather than unilaterally imposing our own thoughts, it’s important to think from the other person’s perspective. And to have the observational skills and compassion to discover that person’s “matatabi.”
However, it’s important to act not as a tool to manipulate others, but from pure feelings of wanting to please and make others happy. Heartfelt “cat to catnip” brings warm feelings to both the giver and receiver.
In modern society, information overflows and people’s preferences have diversified, but perhaps this makes efforts to value each person’s individuality and understand their uniqueness even more valuable.
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