It’s likely that you’ve seen the Maneki-neko, the beckoning cat figurines. Though they are everywhere in places like Japan and Taiwan, they are also found in countries around the world at Japanese restaurants. So, you’ve seen them, but do you know where and when they originated and exactly what that raised paw means?
figurine [ ˌfɪgjəˈrin ] n. 公仔；小塑像 originate [ əˈrɪdʒəˌnet ] vi. 發源 originate in / from...源自於⋯⋯
There is a slight dispute about the origin of the Maneki-neko, with some saying it originated in Tokyo and others claiming Kyoto. Either way, the cat statue♦ first appeared during the Edo period, and the first written record of the figurine is found in an 1852 chronology of the period.
There also exist various origin stories of the cat statue, ranging from tales of a lonely old woman to a struggling shop owner to a cat-protected geisha. Yet, one of the most common is about a poor monk and a cat that lived in a Tokyo monastery.
geisha [ ˈgeʃə ] n.（日本）藝妓 monk [ mʌŋk ] n. 和尚 monastery [ ˈmɑnəsˌtɛrɪ ] n. 寺廟；修道院
As legend has it, the monk wished that the cat would bring prosperity to the temple. One day, a wealthy lord was sheltering under a tree during a storm when he saw the cat beckoning to him.
As he moved towards the monastery, the tree was struck by lightning. The grateful man then became the monastery’s patron, and when the cat died, a statue was made to honor it.
There are some things we do know for sure about the Maneki-neko. A raised left paw is meant to attract customers, while a beckoning right paw brings good fortune. Traditionally, the former would be placed in businesses, and the latter would be for homes.
A Maneki-neko may also have an object in its paw, such as a coin, a mallet, or a gem. All symbolize good things, including fortune, wealth, and wisdom. Sounds like a good charm to have around.
