The "Maneki Neko" is one
of the best known symbols of Japan. A cute and interesting
addition to anyone's cat collection, it's story is the
"charm point". There are many legends in Japanese
folklore that tell of it's origin and good deeds. Many
tales are of kindness and bravery, while some are threaded
with superstition & mystery.
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Story
One
One of the more popular legends centers around the Edo
period (17th century), when a priest of a temple in
the western part of Tokyo chided his pet cat for not
contributing to the temple, which was quite dilapidated.
One day, soon after, Naotaka Ii who was the lord of
Hikone district (western part of Japan near Kyoto) was
standing under a tree in front of the temple, seeking
protection from rain, when he noticed that a cat was
inviting him into the temple. As soon as he left the
shelter of the tree to enter the temple, the tree was
struck by lightening. Naotaka, of course, grateful to
the cat (Tama), adopted the temple for his family, and
bestowed his gratitude to the priest by helping the
temple prosper. After his death, Tama was buried at
Goutokuji's cat cemetery with much respect and honor,
and the Maneki Neko tradition began.
Story
Two
Another legend tells of a famous Geisha of the Edo period,
named Usugumo, who loved cats and kept her own at her
side constantly. It seems one evening her cat insistently
pulled at the hem of her robe, and after some period
of frustration, she called for help. An admirer rushed
to her side and cut off the head of the cat, thinking
it to be a goblin cat. The cat's head flew to the ceiling
and bit the huge snake that was hovering over Usugumo.
Usugumo mourned deeply the cat who had sacrificed its
life for her, and in consolation, one of her guests
presented her with an image of the hero cat made of
aromatic wood. That image, of course, was the Maneki
Neko, and its raised paw was trying to alert her to
danger.
Story
One
Story
Two 