Maneki Neko

The Specimen

White painted figurine of Maneki Neko, Beckoning (or Prosperity) Cat. Painted plaster, or plaster composite material. From Canal Street area, New York City. Made in China, n.d.

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Left or Right paw? Either way draws auspicious things toward the houses wherever Maneki Neko may happen to reside.

Overview

The maneki-neko (Japanese: 招き猫, literally "beckoning cat") is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In modern times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic. The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed in—often at the entrance of—shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, laundromats, dry cleaners, salons, and other businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning.

Maneki-neko comes in different colors, styles and degrees of ornateness. Common colors are white, black, gold and sometimes red. In addition to ceramic figurines, maneki-neko can be found as keychains, piggy banks, air fresheners, house-plant pots, and miscellaneous ornaments, as well as large statues. It is also called the "Chinese lucky cat" because of its popularity among Chinese merchants.

Historic Perspective

Many Japanese business people wouldn't think of having a restaurant, store, bar, etc. without the presence of a beckoning cat ("Maneki Neko", also sometimes called a "Prosperity Cat"). Maneki Neko's always have at least one raised forepaw but otherwise they can take many forms. A white cat wearing a bib and a bell are typical sights in Chinese restaurants in this country. The cat is waving to us, asking us to come into the shop or asking good fortune to visit the establishment.

Maneki Neko date back several centuries. The exact origins of Maneki Neko and the source of its power are explained with many tales. The most prevalent tale involves a poor temple in the woods: A traveler takes shelter under a nearby tree during a storm. A cat appears and beckons the traveler to follow it to avoid the storm in the temple. As soon as the traveler follows the cat, the tree and the spot he had been in are struck by lightning. Because the cat has saved him and brought him to the temple, the traveler and his family become patrons of the temple and bring it fame and wealth. Others believe a similar tale involving a store or inn. There is also a story about a cat saving its owner from a snake—even when beheaded! Another cat loses its head when its owner catches it stealing gold coins. However, we learn that the cat was taking the coins to an ill and destitute fishmonger who had befriended the cat and needed money until its recovery. He is saved by the cat's coins. Therefore, some believe, Maneki Neko should carry coins or have coins dangling from their bibs to ensure wealth. More prosaic origins may be tied to an agricultural belief that cats kept pests away from crops or satinworms and thus aided prosperity of the family.

Phallic Substitute

Other sources hint that the raised paw might be a coded phallic symbol because the cats are first found around the time when common but more graphic phallic good luck symbols were banned from inns and gambling houses by western-influenced Japanese governments. There are many variations on the Maneki Neko and you may see the left paw or the right paw raised. Generally speaking, it is believed that the left paw beckons for people (customers) while the right attracts money or good fortune. However, some believe the opposite!