“I still feel like he’ll come walking around that corner someday.”
Those were the words of Mr. Sadao Umayahara, a security guard at the Onomichi City Museum of Art in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Ken-chan, the black cat who captured hearts across Japan with his friendly “battles” against the guard, peacefully passed away on September 20, 2025.
On November 11, the day Ken-chan officially became a pet cat years ago, the museum announced his passing on its official X (Twitter) account.
Fans from all over the world responded with messages of love and gratitude — simply saying, “Thank you, Ken-chan.”
🏛 A Story That Symbolized Onomichi: The Cat and the Security Guard
Ken-chan first became famous in March 2017.
During a special exhibition called “Neko Mamire” (“Covered in Cats”), he tried to sneak into the museum, only to be gently stopped by security guard Mr. Umayahara.
A museum staff member posted the scene on Twitter with the caption:
“We’d love to let him in, but we had to politely ask him to leave.”
The humorous yet heartwarming post went viral.
Soon, the “cat vs security guard” story spread across the globe, even being covered by international media.
In 2022, the museum reached a record-breaking 70,000 visitors, many coming just to see Ken-chan and his patient friend at the door.
Ken-chan lived at a nearby restaurant but would often stroll over to the museum to see Mr. Umayahara.
Their encounters brought smiles to everyone — staff and visitors alike — making Ken-chan a true symbol of Onomichi.
🐈⬛ The Final Encounter
Their last meeting took place on April 18, 2024, during the spring exhibition “Gifts from the Sea.”
That morning, Ken-chan lay quietly in front of the museum’s main entrance.
When Mr. Umayahara gently petted him, he stood up, stretched, and slipped through the door.
Even when the guard tried to block his path with a foot, the clever cat gracefully dodged, advanced a few meters, and then stopped on his own.
He allowed himself to be picked up and calmly returned to the restaurant.
“He didn’t really want to enter the museum — he just wanted to see Mr. Umayahara,”
said a museum staff member, perfectly describing their bond.
🕊 The Final Days and “Thank You”
Ken-chan had been under medical care since early 2025.
In late September, surrounded by his loving family, he passed away peacefully at home.
The museum created a 2026 memorial calendar featuring his photos from over the years.
The final December page shows Ken-chan wearing a bow tie, sitting proudly in front of the restaurant — a fitting farewell image for the beloved cat.
💬 Words from Mr. Umayahara
“I have dogs, but I’ve never met a cat that grew so close to me.
I just want to say thank you for all the memories, Ken-chan.”
To him, Ken-chan was more than a cat — he was a friend, a companion, and a silent guardian of the museum.
🌸 What Ken-chan Left Behind
Ken-chan taught us about connections beyond words and the kindness found in everyday life.
His story brought warmth and joy not only to the art-filled town of Onomichi but to people around the world.
His gentle spirit will always live on —
in the hearts of those who smiled every time they saw that little black cat sitting proudly by the museum doors.
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