Maneki Neko: Japanese Lucky Cat

The Beckoning Cat (Manekinko)

A popular good luck gift in Japan, the maneki-neko is a cat figure. Traditionally, the cat has a raised paw, in a beckoning or waving gesture. It is believed to bring good fortune and you can see these cat figurines, large and small, in Japanese businesses and in homes. You can buy a lucky cat of your own, or find this cute cat on a range of gifts and shirts. Even if it doesn't make you wealthy, it's sure to bring a smile to your face!

The maneki neko can come in a range of colors, each having a symbolic meaning, but the typical Japense good luck cat is white with a red collar witha bell. While one paw is held in the air to beckon good fortune, the other holds a coin of very high value to indicate great wealth.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons public domain image

Text copyright IndigoJanson.

Lucky Cat poster available at Allposters.com

I Want a Lucky Cat Figurine!

Find a Maneki Neko to Suit Your Style

Maneki Neko Money Lucky Cat Chinese Japanese Statue

StealStreet (Home)

Amazon.com: $14.50

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This maneki neko is a real favorite with Amazon.com shoppers -- and it's easy to see why! What a cutie, with its big round eyes and paw raised way up high. It has a bell and a high-value coin which are both painted with gold paint, and further gold accents on its collar.

Happy Cat, Maneki Neko Blk

JapanBargain

Amazon.com: $10.65

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Want to increase your fortune? Well this maneki-neko coin bank will help you do that in a practical way. This happy little cat is black with gold and red accents, and has Japanese 'kanji' characters on its belly. Also available in white.

Maneki Neko Fortune Lucky Love Couple Pair Cat White (Cats may vary in style and color)

cpmnw

Amazon.com: $19.95

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Awww, lucky cats in love! These Japanese kitties come as a couple. Each sits on a little red pillow mat with tiny tassels. Although the pair of maneki neko are coin banks (increasing your wealth one coin at a time!) the slots are hidden round the back so you can also just display them for decoration. What a cute (but affordable) gift for an engagement or wedding.

How Many Maneki Neko are Too Many?

This American Woman Can't Stop Collecting Lucky Cats!

She is also a great fan of the real thing -- the Japanese Bobtail cat -- which is said to have inspired the lucky cat figurines.

Wear a Lucky Cat on a T Shirt!

Which One will Bring You Good Fortune and Happiness?

I adore this Maneki Neko (Japanese Lucky Cat) Shirt by talented graphic design house asianpopcorn. Take a look at the other cool Japanese themed shirts available in the store.

If the adorable manekineko above doesn't do it for you, how about one of these? (Most shirts are available in men's, women's, child and even toddler and baby sizes, so if you like a shirt don't worry about which model it is shown on -- click on the design to see other options.)

1 by myluckycat | 2 by blackunicorn | 3 by cute_x_evil

4 by Cedarseed | 5 by Miyajiman | 6 by LizaPhoenix

Ramen Girl Movie: Look Out for the Lucky Cat

A Classic Maneki Neko in a Noodle Restaurant

The Maneki Neko only appears briefly in the trailer below (look out for it 34 seconds in) but in the story this magical cat plays a role in enticing the American girl, played by the late Brittany Murphy, to become a ramen chef.

More Cute Smiling Lucky Cats

Beckoning or Waving, these Japanese Cat T-Shirts are Adorable!

You know my problem? I can't decide which of these maneki neko tees is the cutest! They are all so sweet. How about you? Will you choose a happy cat with closed eyes, a sweet kitty with pink cheeks, a kawaii style feline, or one of designer dreamlyn's big eyed cats in eye-catching colors?

7 by arncyn | 8 by Miyajiman | 9 by minimonominiatures

T-shirts 10, 11 and 12 by dreamlyn

13 by Miyajiman | 14 by QueenHare | 15 by manekicat

Did You Know?

The Maneki Neko is Inspired by the Japanese Bobtail Cat

Takadanobaba (Credit: michaelvito on Flickr.com) Source

Japanese Bobtail (Credit: thisgeekredes on Flickr.com) Source

Koneko (Credit: TinyTall on Flickr.com) Source

Here's "Baby" all grown up. (Credit: Donna & Andrew on Flickr.com) Source

I Write about Cats and Lovely Japanese Things

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Cute Maneki Neko Poster by LizaPhoenix

Comments

48 leaves
51 forum posts

I always wondered about that cute waving cat statue at my favorite take-out place! Thanks for the info :-)

18 leaves
65 forum posts

Now you'll be able to tell others what it means! :) As you've maybe noticed if it was a Chinese rather than Japanese take-out, the Chinese also love their lucky cats.

231 leaves
692 forum posts

I didn't know it meant good fortune. Thanks for the info.

18 leaves
65 forum posts

Yes, they are beckoning luck, although depending on which paw is raised it can also be wealth. Either way, we could all use some. :)

3 leaves
0 forum posts

I love these, I have to get one someday.

18 leaves
65 forum posts

I just bought one myself. I don't know if it will bring luck but it brings a smile to my face!

42 leaves
79 forum posts

I love cats!! These cute little manekineko statues would look so good around my place, they are adorable, and having a little bit of extra good luck around the home can't hurt either :)

Maneki Neko: Japanese Lucky Cat

The Beckoning Cat (Manekinko)