Time Out

Maneki-neko: the lowdown on Japan's beckoning lucky cat

The lucky feline’s origins are shrouded in mystery. Quite a few tales exist, with the most common one involving a samurai who took shelter from the rain beneath a big tree across from a temple. The ...
CNN

Inside the Tokyo temple where the ‘waving cat’ was born

The maneki-neko goes by many names. The waving cat, the lucky cat, the beckoning cat. There are even more variations in its meaning. It’s generally believed a lifted left paw invites success in ...
Japan Today

What is the story of 'maneki-neko,' the Japanese beckoning cat?

Maneki-neko, translated as beckoning cat but also known as lucky cat or welcome cat, is recognizable internationally, often found behind cash registers of restaurants and retail outlets – and also in ...
SBS

Have you seen this cat sitting on the counter at a restaurant? This is why it's there

Maneki-neko-style Japanese cat dolls can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868). Eventually, the cat came to represent material rather than emotional happiness. The cat gained popularity in the ...
CNN

Inside the Tokyo temple where the ‘waving cat’ was born

The maneki-neko goes by many names. The waving cat, the lucky cat, the beckoning cat. There are even more variations in its meaning. It’s generally believed a lifted left paw invites success in ...