Animal Facts

There are many legends explaining the origin of the Maneki Neko or "Lucky Cat." One story goes that a powerful lord stopped to rest under a tree near a temple after a long journey. He saw the temple's cat raising its paw, beckoning the lord to come closer. As the lord approached the cat, a bolt of lightning struck the tree the lord was sitting under. The lord befriended the temple priest and the temple experienced a new age of prosperity. When the temple cat died, the first Maneki Neko was crafted in its honor. Now, Maneki Nekos are incredibly popular in Japan and China as good luck charms to attract wealth and success. Maneki Neko statues are found frequently in stores to bring success or in the house, particularly on the third floor (as the number three is seen as lucky) or in places where studying takes place to bring academic success. Maneki Nekos are typically modeled after calico Japanese bobtail cats, a common breed and color seen in Japanese folklore.