Maneki Neko (招き猫, literally "beckoning cat"), also known as "welcoming cat", "lucky cat", "money cat" or "fortune cat", is a common Japanese figurine. It is a lucky charm. This small statue is found in many Japanese shops,^[1] and it is also seen in some places outside Japan.

Maneki neko is usually painted as a Calico cat (Japanese Bobtail), but new colors has appeared recently (for example, white, red, black, pink, blue and gold). It usually has the right paw raised. Some of these statues have the left paw raised.

The statue commonly has a gold coin called a koban around the cat's neck.

Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture is Japan's top producer of Maneki neko.^[2]

This is the meaning of the colors

• red, black; avoid getting ill
• pink; help his or her love
• gold; be lucky with money
• calico; traditional color

Maneki-neko can be found with either the right or left paw raised (and sometimes both). Generally, a right paw raised brings good luck and wealth, while the left paw raised brings in customers.

Maneki neko was a mascot of the silk industry, but now it is considered to be a mascot of business prosperity. Different theories say that the Maneki neko came from Imado temples or that it came from Gotoku temples.

• Hello Kitty

Media related to Maneki neko at Wikimedia Commons

• "Giant Maneki Neko....Tokoname Japan" at Panoramio Archived 2016-10-17 at the Wayback Machine

This short article about Japan can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.