The legend of the cute lucky cat goes like this: In 17th century Japan, there was once very poor priest who lived with his cat, Tama, in a Tokyo temple. The priest was destitute, but like the good priest he was he always made sure there was enough food for his furry feline friend. Thus they were the best of friends.

One fine day, a feudal lord came to take refuge under a big tree next to the temple. It was raining cats and dogs (no pun intended!) and though the tree provided shelter, it wasn't exactly rainproof. While he rested, he suddenly spied Tama beckoning him to come into the temple for better protection. The feudal lord ran to the temple, dodging rain-bullets... And as soon as he reached to safety, a lightning bolt struck the huge tree where the lord had previously taken refuge from!

Thus the plucky-Lucky cat Tama saved his very life. From then on, Tama's clever little self has been reinvented into the the Lucky cat - an auspicious incarnation of the Goddess of Mercy!

Lucky cats originated from Japan, and are called maneki-neko in Japanese. Its popularity and charm has spread throughout the Asian continent and is now claimed as one of China's own as Feng Shui enhancers.

Japanese lucky cats are cat-shaped lucky charms. A Maneki-neko raises one of its front paws and beckons by showing the palm of the paw. It is believed that the cats bring fortune and the customers into your store. So, you can see them in many Japanese businesses.

The History of the Lucky Cat

While it is believed that Maneki Neko first appeared during the later part of the Edo period (1603-1867) in Japan the earliest documentary evidence comes from the 1870s, during Japan's Meiji Era. It is mentioned in a newspaper article in 1876 and there is evidence kimono-clad Maneki Neko were distributed at a shrine in Osaka during this time. Beyond that, the exact origins of Maneki Neko are uncertain.

One theory ties Maneki Neko's origin, or at least its growth in popularity, to the rise of the new Meiji government. In its attempts to westernize Japanese society the Meiji government banned overtly sexual talismans then popular, often displayed prominently in brothels. With these popular items gone, Maneki Neko soon appeared in their place as a substitute charm, their beckoning gesture perhaps in imitation of a beckoning woman.

The Lucky Cat and Feng Shui

Lucky cats are especially favored by business owners - it is said that having a luck cat figurine close to the cash register encourages more customers and a steady, strong flow of wealth income.

Homemakers in the East are also great fans of the lucky cat - they are typically placed in the kitchen, the living room and the dining room. They are often used as a preventative measure against harm and bad luck.

In temples, the lucky cat is almost always placed among other figures of deities and beatified spirits.