Maneki Neko

A Maneki Neko or in literal translation Beckoning Cat is believed to bring luck to its owners. Also known as Welcoming Cat, Lucky Cat, Money Cat and Fortune cat, the Maneki Neko is the most common lucky charm in Japan. Most often in Japan it can be found in shop windows or at entrances of business establishments.

It is commonly made of ceramics or porcelain and commonly depicts a cat (more often the Japanese Bobtail) sitting with its paw raised and bent, thus the act of beckoning.

HISTORY

It is commonly believed that the Maneki Neko became popular in the latter half of the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), although this lucky cat is rarely mentioned by name in era documents. By the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912), however, it begins to appear with great regularity in publications and business establishments. Also evidence of a kimono-clad Maneki Neko were distributed at a shrine in Osaka during this time. An ad from 1902 advertising Maneki Neko indicates that by the turn of the century they were popular.

Like other countries there were countless superstitions about cats in Japan. One of which is the belief that when a cat washes its face and paws in the genkan (parlor), company's coming. The gesture of the Maneki Neko's paw to others seem to be that of a cat washing it's face thus, may contribute to the coming in of customers.

COMMON FEATURES


The Gesture:
To others it seems as though the Maneki Neko is waving but to Japanes people holding up the hand, palm out, and repeatedly folding the fingers down and back up, is a gesture of beckoning. Modern Maneki Nekos especially those for export are now seen with paws folding back rather than upfront.

There are different beliefs as to which paw is raised...

RIGHT PAW: Inviting money and good fortune

LEFT PAW: Inviting customers or people

BOTH PAW: Protecting homes or businesses:

Accoutrements

These are the decorations of a Maneki Neko...

BIB AND BELL: Wealthiness and Material Abundance. these could have originated from a custom of the Edo Period. During those days, affluent ladies adorned their cats (an expensive pet at the time) with red collars made of hichirimen (Camellia Japonica, a red flower), and small bells were attached to the collar to help the owners keep track of their pets.

COIN: sometimes depicted holding a coin; usually a gold coin called a koban, used during the Edo period in Japan. The coin ties into the cat's part in bringing good fortune and wealth. It is not surprising then that one can often find Maneki Neko used as banks, a practice which goes back at least to the 1890s, much like the Western piggy bank. Also there would be times when pennies and other small coin denominations are left on the Maneki Neko as offerings. This is a practice somewhat related to that of leaving coins in a fountain or wishing well.