Lucky Cat, Fortune Cat Statues

For example, the white lucky cat invites happiness while the golden lucky cat is supposed to bring in wealth. The black lucky cat keeps away bad luck. A Japanese luck cat will have other items displayed together with it. Usually a Japanese luck cat has a red collar and bell and sometimes a bib. You can find japanse lucky cats holding coins or even sitting on money when the right paw is raised.

The Japanese lucky cat is often made from ceramic and is believed to be a bringer of good luck, fortune and happiness to whoever owns it. The sculpture shows a cat traditionally a Japanese bobtail. The cat is beckoning with an upright paw. The Japanese lucky cats found in Japan have their paws facing outwards, symbolizing a gesture of welcome used by Japanese people. The Japanese lucky cats sold in the West have their paws forward, which is familiar to westerner. The Japanese believe that cat with a raised left paw will attract customers and a lifted right paw will bring wealth and good fortune. Tricolor cats have been a crucial part of Japanese culture for centuries; they have been good luck charms or bringers of good fortune. Many Japanese people have the figurine of a cat with one raised paw, as if its waving, Japanese lucky cats are also referred to as Kami Neko meaning the cats’ spirit. Similarities between the lucky cat’s gesture and that of cat washing its face have been observed. The Japanese believe when a cat washes its face, visitors will come. The early Japanese lucky cats were shown washing their faces. The belief that visitors will come, originates from an old Chinese proverb that says it will rain if a cat washes its face. From this comes the concept that washing its face would bring in customers to the business.

The origin of Japanese lucky cats is not clearly defined. The lucky cat first came up in the late Edo period, the 1800’s. The first hard evidence comes from the 1870s, during the Meiji Era. A newspaper article dated 1876, mentioned there was evidence that a Japanese lucky cat wearing a kimono was handed out at a shrine in Osaka. An advert dated 1902 indicated that lucky cats became popular during this time.

The Japanese lucky cat has been associated with Japanese emperors like Oda Nabunga and samurai. The story goes that one day a luminary passed a cat, who waved to him. He thought the cat was trying to say something so he stopped his journey and went to it. He later realized that by stopping his journey he had missed a trap which was waiting for him. Since then cats are considered to be wise and lucky spirits.

Some cats are even motorized so that their paws move in a welcoming gesture. Japanese Maneki Neko (lucky cat) is famous for bringing good fortune, happiness, and prosperity. In Japan, lucky cat is the most popular decoration at the entrances of houses and in store windows. If you need a bit of luck in your life or maybe you wish to bring luck to your loved ones. Japanese lucky cats are great to give to cat lovers as well. According to legends Japanese luck cats bring goof fortune and prosperity. If not the luck, you can simply buy a Japanese lucky cat as a home décor item. We have a great selection of Japanese lucky cats.

Wedding couple cats are a great gift to given on a wedding; to wish the couple luck, prosperity and wealth in their new partnership. Or you can try our three laughing fortune cats, which is a set of three happy kitties with their paws raised. This sculpture gives such an aura of positivity and happiness. You can find them in two different sizes. Also try our lucky family of cats.