|
|
| LUCKY CAT SHRINE |
|
No one knows for sure where the luck cat
came from, and there are so many stories
behind the origin of the Maneki Neko, but
perhaps the most popular one should be the
legend of the Asakusa Imado Jinja Shrine,
An old woman living in Imado (Asakusa) was
forced to sell her cat due to extreme poverty.
While she was struggling to decide selling
away her loved, she dreamed of the cat, which
told her to make its image in clay. So she
did as told in her dream, and soon later
sold the statue. She then made more clay
cats, and people bought them as well. They
became so popular that she could soon become
prosperous and wealthy.
In Edo period held the real story, but Imado
area had been famous for its local clay pot
since 15 centry. Imado Jinja Shrine has male
cat and female cat as one pair, therefore
not only welth but good relation in love
have been prayed. |
|
|
|
|
Lucky Cat (or Maneki Neko, Raking Cat, Beckoning
Cat, Money Cat, Welcoming Cat, Fortune Cat)
is a good luck symbol in Japan. Maneki Neko
is a common sight in Japan, placed in the
entrance of ryokans, restaurants, shops and
other businesses, in the hope that s/he will
bring good luck and prosperity in the form
of customers and extra business. Maneki Neko
has a variety of colors and styles in many
different figures. In the design of the sculptures,
a raised left paw supposedly attracts cash,
while a raised right paw protects it. Both
paws waving/raking are sometime also seen,
but may Japanese people say that it would
be too greedy, and would represent Oteage
Banzai which means You took me all, I am
surrendered, with two hands held up.
The picture in right is Tama (the name of
cat) who is a Living Maneki Neko, actually
the station master of Kishi Railway Station
of the Wakayama Electric Railway Company.@Asakusa
Jinja Shrine next to Sensouji Temple in Asakusa
has lovely cat called Mii-chan (Ms.Miew). |
|
| white body |
brings good luck |
| blak body |
wards off evil spirits and protects from
illnesses |
| gold body |
brings good fortune |
| silver body |
brings longevity |
| pink body |
brngs love |
| yellow body |
brings good relationships |
| red body |
protects from illnesses |
| right paw up |
brings good luck with money |
| left paw up |
brings many customers and visitors |
| with gold bell |
brings good fortune |
| with red scarf |
draws attention |
| with gold coin |
maintain wealth |
|
|
| Maneki Neko Yanakado |
|
| LINKS FOR CAT LOVERS |
| |
Imado Jinja Shrine
Imado 1-5-22, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Telephone : 03-3872-2703
Nearby Station : Asakusa Station
Asakusa Jinja Shrine
Asakusa 2-3-1, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Telephone : 03-3844-1575
Nearby Station :
Asakusa Station
Taito Ryokan
Nishi-Asakusa 2-1-4, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Telephone : 090-5321-3599
Nearby Station : Tawaramachi Station |
| |
|
|
