Buzz
Today, the Maneki-neko is found everywhere around the globe, yet few know that this lucky symbol of Japan traces back to the 17th century, with a remarkably intriguing narrative behind it.
If you've ever been to Japan or other Asian countries, you've probably seen the smiling cat statue waving its paw, welcoming you.
This statue is familiar to the people of the Land of the Rising Sun and is affectionately called maneki-neko (or beckoning cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, and beckoning cat). Maneki-neko is believed to bring luck to businesses...
What is the Maneki-neko?
The Maneki-neko is a popular small statue in Japan believed to bring luck and fortune to its owner. Often made of ceramic or plastic, they depict a Japanese Bobtail cat raising its paw in a beckoning gesture.
Its feet are designed to move back and forth in a rocking motion. Some statues are even equipped with motors so they can wave all day long.
Maneki-neko is often displayed at the entrances of businesses such as restaurants, bars, and laundromats, as a way to attract attention and invite customers inside.
Maneki-neko is typically depicted sitting and holding a koban coin, an oval-shaped gold coin from Japan's Edo period. The coin bears the inscription 'sen man ryou' (千万両), which means 10 million pieces of gold.
In Western culture, to beckon someone towards oneself, one might raise the index finger curled towards the body. The finger moves continuously (like a hook). However, in Japan, such beckoning gesture is done by raising the hand, placing the palm downwards, and continuously folding the fingers.
This is why the paws of the maneki-neko cat are facing downwards. The raised paw can be either the left or right, depending on the owner's preference. If the left paw is raised, it means the maneki-neko is inviting more customers, while the raised right paw implies inviting wealth and money.
Maneki-neko also comes in various colors, depending on the owner's preference.
What is the origin of Maneki-neko?
Due to its common appearance in Chinatowns, Maneki-neko is often mistakenly believed to originate from China. However, the statue is said to have first appeared in the late Edo period in Japan.
The exact origin of this lucky statue remains unclear to this day, but one of the earliest records of its depiction appeared in a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1852. It depicted Marushime-neko, a 'variant' of the Maneki-neko, being sold at Senso Temple, Tokyo.
During the Meiji era, the Maneki-neko was mentioned in a newspaper article in 1876. There is also evidence that kimono-wearing Maneki-neko were distributed at a temple in Osaka during this time. And in 1902, an advertisement for the Maneki-neko indicated that this lucky statue had become a popular commercial item around the early 20th century.
Legend of the Lucky Cat in Japan
In Western culture, house cats are simply cute pets. But in Japanese folklore, cats have protective powers and symbolize luck. So, it's no wonder that the Maneki-neko is believed to represent luck.
The Legend of the Lucky Cat in Japan dates back to the 17th century, where a humble monk resided in the small Gōtoku-ji temple in Setagaya, Tokyo, with his beloved cat. They lived a peaceful life until one day, a samurai lord named Ii Naotaka from Hikone visited the area.
While on a hunting expedition, a massive storm struck, forcing the lord to seek refuge under a tree outside the temple. There, he noticed the monk's cat raising one paw, as if beckoning him inside the temple.
Approaching the cat, a lightning bolt struck the tree where he had been standing moments before. Grateful for the cat saving his life, Naotaka decided to patronize the temple. He aided in repairs, renovations, and expanded living space for the impoverished monk.
Upon the cat's passing, a Maneki-neko statue was crafted to commemorate its life. To this day, the temple remains sacred. This story is why many believe waving cats symbolize luck.
Today, Maneki-neko statues can be found in shops and businesses across Japan and many places worldwide. To understand its evolution through the ages, visit the Manekineko Art Museum in Okayama. It showcases a collection of over 700 lucky cat statues from various historical periods.
Every year, in September, the Manekineko Festival is held in various cities across Japan. During this time, people take to the streets with faces painted like cats.
In addition, there's a street called Manekineko-dori (Beckoning Cat Street) in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture. There, dozens of ceramic cat statues adorn the streets. And of course, Gōtoku-ji Temple - where the legend of the lucky cat began - is home to hundreds of adorable small maneki-neko statues.
If you can't make it to Japan, even in the US, you can visit the 'Lucky Cat Museum' in Cincinnati, Ohio, where you'll find over 2,000 different versions of the lucky cat icon.
