Maneki Neko
Maneki Neko (招き猫, literally "beckoning cat"), also known as "welcoming cat", "lucky cat", "money cat" or "fortune cat", is a common Japanese figurine. It is a lucky charm. this small statue that is found in many Japanese shops,[1] and it is also seen in some places outside Japan.
Maneki neko is usually painted as a Calico cat (Japanese Bobtail), but new color has appeared recently (for example, white, red, black, pink, blue and gold). It usually has the right paw raised. Some of these statues have the left paw raised.
The statue commonly has a gold coin called a koban around the cat's neck.
Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture is Japan's top producer of Maneki neko.[2]
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Color [change]
Color's meaning
-
- red, black; avoid getting ill
- pink; help his or her love
- gold; be lucky with money
- calico; traditional color
Gesture [change]
Maneki-neko can be found with either the right or left paw raised (and sometimes both). Generally, a right paw raised brings good luck and wealth , while the left paw raised brings in customers.
History [change]
Maneki neko was a mascot of the sericuluture, but is considered to be a mascot of the business prosperity now. There is the lot of including a Imado-temple theory and the Gotoku-temple theory origin of Maneki neko. The best straight production center of Maneki neko in Japan is Tokoname-shi,Aichi Pref.. Maneki neko is made with wood mainly, but in late years, it is made with the plastic.
Related pages [change]
References [change]
- ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Maneki Neko" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 606.
- ↑ "Tokoname, Birthplace of Manekineko Lucky Cats" at Virtualtourist.com; excerpt, "About eighty percent of this type of cat figurines are produced in Tokoname..."; retrieved 2012-12-4.
Other websites [change]
Media related to Maneki neko at Wikimedia Commons- "Giant Maneki Neko....Tokoname Japan" at Panoramio
Media related to 
