Have you ever seen a lucky cat Japanese statue Maneki Neko? If the answer is yes, you will agree with us that these beautiful cat figurines look great in patios, houseplant settings, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other places of business all over Japan.
They are called “lucky cat” because of their use as a kind of lucky charm or talisman. These strange Japanese lucky cat figures are one of the most familiar symbols in Japan. The name “Maneki Neko” can be ascribed to the cat’s welcoming paw since the literal translation is “beckoning cat”.
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Welcoming cat is usually made of ceramic, but you may find them made of various materials, from plastic or wood to luxury ceramic cat statues made from gold or jade.
Even in recent times, fortune cats are still common in Japan. You can find these adorable cat figurines waving their mechanical paw, welcoming you to restaurants, pachinko salons, and other businesses places across Japan.
You will be surprised to know that there is a Maneki-Neko day in Japan. Maneki-Neko Japan Association defines September 29 as Maneki-Neko no Hi. This date is read as “kuru (9) fu (2) ku (9)”. This means fortune coming your way, to celebrate this occasion, there are several cities in Japan that hold events and festivals on this day.
These are the cities: Ise City in Mie Prefecture, Shimabara and Prefecture City in Nagasaki Prefecture, Seto City in Aichi.
The Kurufuku Maneki-Neko Matsuri at Ise City’s in Okage Yokocho is an important occasion where there are lots of fortune cat statues on display, statues of related goods on sale, and a mass dance that tourists can join in with the locals. If it sounds amazing, read on. The following are 7 interesting facts about good luck charm cats.
1. The Meaning of Beckoning Gesture Cats
In Japanese, the phrase “Maneki Neko” means “beckoning cat”. So, the most accurate interpretation of Maneki-Neko in the English language is “a beckoning cat”. These charming beckoning cat statues are also known as the lucky Cats and the welcoming cats. They have their paw raised as if they are waving in good fortune for their owners.
The Symbolism
Since ancient times, a lot of stories have been told about Maneki Neko, also known as the fortune cat. They are generally used as talismans or mascots; they bring good luck to families, success, happiness to people, prosperity and wealth to businesses.
In Japan, Lucky Cats are often placed in the windows of restaurants and shops to invite wealth and prosperity. The symbolism of these lucky cats for the business is usually determined by their gestures, especially the position of their paws. It is generally believed that the higher the paw, the greater the degree of luck.
2. The Myths Behind the Origin of Maneki Neko
There are a lot of myths associateThere are a lot of myths associated with Maneki Neko origin. No one can completely agree on how the first Lucky cat came to be. Though, most people agree that Maneki Neko first appeared during the Edo era in Japan (around the 17th to mid-19th century). Below are some common myths about the origins of Maneki Neko.
The lightning story
The account of the Temple Cat has it that a rich man was hiding beneath a tree during a storm next to a temple. All of a sudden, the man saw the priest’s cat beckoning to him. He trailed the cat, and after that moment lightning struck the tree under which the man was hiding. Shortly the priest and the man became friends and the temple became very wealthy. When the priest cat died, the first sample of the Maneki Neko was made in his honor.
Wooden statue myth
Another myth has it that a young lady had an adorable cat. One night the cat started dragging her away. The lady hostess decided that the cat was bewitched and slashes off its head. The head flew off and mashed a snake that was ready to attack. The young woman was very saddened by the death of her cat. A man brought the lady a wooden cat statue to please her.
A dream of a pet cat
The third account has it that an old woman was so poor that she had to sell her cat. Shortly, her cat appeared to her in a dream and advised her to make a clay cat statue. In the morning, the old woman did as advised and sold the statue. She then started making more Cat statues and selling them, so she became really rich.
3. The meaning of One Paw Raised
Traditionally, Maneki Nekos are usually seen raising their paw in three different styles that are either their left paw up, right paw up, or both paws up. There is actually a meaning behind which paw the cat is holding up.
One of its defining characteristics is its raised paw, and you can tell a lot about Maneki Neko by examining this gesture. You may see a lucky cat raising its left paw, its right paw, or both paws occasionally. The paw positioning is more than just an artistic choice. There is a different belief and meaning behind each gesture, although these may differ depending on whom you ask.
The meanings explained
Right-hand paw raised: It is believed that the right paw brings good luck and wealth.
Left-hand paw raised: It is believed that the left paw attracts clients to the place of business, especially for night related business like bars and restaurants.
Both paws raised: It is believed that both paws raised to provide protection. A lucky cat with both paws raised is a combination of the above two. These cats’ statues invite customers in and are believed to bring money and good luck too. The higher the paw raised the more good luck charms it brings.
4. Symbolism behind the Japanese Lucky Cat
Although Maneki Neko is often seen in white with black and orange spots, they are also available in quite a few color variations. Just like the gestures and ornamental variations, the color variation is also associated with a different form good fortune. The color attributes are said to be as follows:
Tricolor Maneki Neko: This is the most common type of lucky cat. The tricolor Maneki Neko is said to bring good luck to its owner because it is modeled after the Japanese bob-tailed cat.
White Maneki Neko: The all-white Maneki Neko is believed to bring happiness and purity to its owner.
Black Maneki Neko: Maybe the coolest of all the colors is black Maneki Neko. Despite the fact that in Western culture black cats are believed to be a symbol of bad luck, the black statue of Maneki Neko is believed to bring protection against evil.
Gold Maneki Neko: The golden color of a Maneki Neko is believed to bring vast wealth to anyone who is lucky enough to own it. So if you have gold Maneki Neko, you are in for great wealth.
Red Maneki Neko: A red color Maneki Neko is related to love, marriage, and other personal matters. So, if you find a Maneki Neko in red, the statue is believed to prevent diseases, particularly in children.
Green Maneki Neko: The green color of a Maneki Neko is believed to bring good health and prosperity to your studies.
Blue Maneki Neko: The blue color of a Maneki Neko stands for intelligence, wisdom, and success. It is supposed to bring peace, harmony, and happiness to family members.
Pink Maneki Neko: The pink color of a Maneki Neko stands for love and romance. It is perfect for those with a sense of romance because this cat is believed to beckon love into your life.
Yellow Maneki Neko: The yellow color of a Maneki Neko bring in a good match for marriage stability and relationships
According to all the above-mentioned variations, you can pick the best lucky cat for yourself.
5. The Significance of What the Maneki Neko is Holding or Wearing
Maneki Neko or lucky cats are usually adorned with a collar, bib, and bell. During the Edo period, it was normal for rich people to dress their pet cats in this way. A bell was attached to the collar to enable the owner’s track their cat’s whereabouts. If you take a closer look at the various Maneki Neko, you will notice some items that are often worn or held by the cat.
The meanings explained
Neck Decorations: You will hardly see a Maneki Neko with a bare neck. Decorative bibs, collars, and bells are common neck ornaments for lucky cats. Just like presently, the real domestic cats of the Edo era wore collars with bells to allow easy tracking of their whereabouts.
Coins: The lucky cat usually holds a koban and a gold coin that was used during the Edo era. One koban was equaled to one Ryo, which was Japan’s monetary unit at the time; you can even see a Maneki Neko holding a coin. A ryo was considered a great fortune at the time.
koi fish or any other fish is believed to be a symbol of luck and wealth.
Drum or Fan: these two objects signify luck with the business. The drum is precisely the symbol of a shop overflowing with customers.
Money bag: this symbolizes luck and wealth.
Gemstone and Marble: Any of these in the paws of a Maneki Neko symbolizes both wisdom and wealth.
Hollow Gourd: These are containers for sake and beverages; often hold by Maneki Neko, it is believed that it helps ward off evil spirits.
Though these are some of the most common luck ornaments that you can find on Maneki Neko, there are also many other objects that are associated with them.
6. Maneki-Neko History as Japanese Lucky Charms
The story of Maneki-Neko history continues to be controversial. It is usually believed that lucky cats originated from Edo (now called Tokyo), while some think it came from Osaka.
Maneki-Neko’s popularity began to increase around 1868 and 1912. During this time, the Japanese cat has appeared in newspapers and advertisements, which was the original documented evidence of its origins. During the Meiji era, in 1876, it was cited in a newspaper article, and there is evidence that Maneki-Neko was distributed at a shrine in Osaka during this period. Outside this, the exact history of lucky cats is uncertain.
7. The City that produces the most Maneki-Neko statues
There are several places in Japan that are famous for producing Maneki-Neko statues, cities like Takasaki and Seto. Among these cities, the largest producer of these adorable cat statues is Tokoname city, which is one of the oldest and largest production bases among Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns.
Thence, most of the lucky cat’s statues made in Tokoname are made of ceramic. Recently, plastic versions are becoming more popular, particularly battery-operated or solar-powered ones that constantly move and raise hand in a beckoning style.
Huge Happy Cat Statue
There is a huge Maneki-Neko statue called Tokonyan in Tokoname. The name was chosen after an open call for suggestions from city residents that took place in the summer of 2008. Tokyanan is perched on a wall on the south side of Tokoname Maneki-Neko Street and is 3.8 meters tall and 6.3 meters wide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is obvious that regardless of the myth, name, raised paw, color and any item in a Maneki Neko paw, you can’t go wrong adding one to the decor in your home or business place. A lucky cat in your home is appealing and could help bring good fortune to your home. Having one in the kitchen can improve the healthy nutrition that you cook in your meals.
A Maneki Neko by your cash register might make you more careful of how you are spending your cash. A fun lucky cat anywhere around is an invitation to smile and good luck, an optimistic attitude that can attract positive energy to you and your daily pursuits.