Hello and welcome to the Street Prophets Coffee Hour! This week it's my great pleasure to share a hobby I've enjoyed for many years- collecting the Japanese cat figurines known as Maneki Neko.
Cats, both real and imaginary, have figured prominently in Japanese culture and everyday life for millennia. However, the earliest known mention, and depiction, of the famous Maneki Neko date to 1852. In the picture above, a vendor is selling clearly identifiable maneki neko figurines. There are a few different origin stories and at least two ancient temples that take credit for being the birthplace of the "lucky cat" figurine. The name Maneki Neko translates as " beckoning cat", and it's believed that the charming little cat would beckon customers to enter the business displaying it. They can be seen in restaurants and other businesses in Japan and around the world. In someone's home, it invites good fortune. Nowadays they come in lots of different colors. Each color has a specific meaning. So too does which paw is raised- left, right, or both.
Considering how they first became popular nearly two centuries ago, and how that popularity has grown ever since, it's possible that the maneki neko is a pop culture sensation that has endured far longer than most.
Most of the sources I've read say that a raised right paw is meant to invite good luck and prosperity into the home; a raised left paw beckons customers (and their money) into a business. Some also say that the right paw raised nekos are male cats, the left paw raised are female. Still others claim that those right paw raising male cats pertain to daytime businesses like stores and offices...while their left paw raised feminine counterparts pertain to nighttime businesses such as bars and entertainment venues. And then there are those with both paws raised. Which, from what I've seen, represents the "banzai!" (ten thousand years!) gesture. Like that little cat is cheering for you and rooting for your success.
Unlike the traditional animal figurines displayed with each new year- the animals of the Chinese zodiac, which change each year- maneki nekos are displayed year in and year out. The cat has no place in the Chinese zodiac; an entire (and very popular) manga series and it's accompanying anime series, Fruits Basket, was created around this scenario. I confess I liked the manga very much, and read every installment I could find. The character of Meowth, of the wildly popular Pokemon phenomenon, was based on Maneki Neko. As was the character Ms Fortune, of the Neko Atsume video game of a few years ago. (I liked Neko Atsume, too. Don't judge me.)
Maneki Nekos are so beloved in Japan that they have their own special day, September 29th. And a museum all their own- www.okayama-japan.jp/...
A brief (though not definitive) rundown on the meanings of different colors- white represents spiritual purity and promotes happiness. Black is meant to protect a household's health, and protect against disasters. Green is for students, to help with study habits and passing tests. Pink is, predictably, for success in romance. Gold, also predictably, relates to protecting and increasing one's wealth. Blue encourages you to dream big and go all-out in pursuit of your heart's desire; other sources suggest that blue promotes traffic safety and safe driving habits. The color red itself has cultural significance in Japan, and a red maneki neko is for banishing evil and warding off serious illnesses. Calico cats are considered especially lucky in Japan, and calico nekos are no exception.
A lot of these would be considered kitsch by many people. There are however some truly exquisite maneki nekos made in the distinctive style known as Kutani. Which unfortunately are well out of my price range, but beautiful nonetheless- www.ebay.com/... (not promoting eBay necessarily, they just have good examples of them)
Nearly all of mine have writing on them. Which, alas, I can't read. It'd be interesting to know what those messages say.
There are many charmingly illustrated children's books telling the legends of the Maneki Neko. I have two that are more for adult collectors and admirers of Japanese art.
I hope that you've enjoyed reading about my collection as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you. Thank you for reading.
This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.