The Maneki Neko (招き猫, literally "Beckoning Cat"; also known as Welcoming Cat, Lucky Cat, Money cat or Fortune Cat) is a common Japanese sculpture, often made of porcelain or ceramic, which is believed to bring good luck to the owner. The sculpture depicts a cat beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed in stores, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. A raised right paw supposedly attracts money, while a raised left paw attracts customers.
A classic example of kitsch, Maneki Neko come in different colors, styles, and degrees of ornateness. In addition to sculptures, Maneki Neko can be found as keychains, piggy banks, air fresheners, and miscellaneous ornaments.
The cat breed represented in the sculpture is generally a Japanese Bobtail.
1 comment:
You have just answered a question of mine I never knew I had. I've seen Maneki Neko in various places and have heard that they're supposed to bring luck, but I didn't know they're known for bringing other things as well, or the significance of which paw is raised.
Your blog is interesting every time I visit! :)
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