Maneki-Neko – “Lucky Cat”
Maneki-Neko is common Japanese figurine, commonly believed to bring good luck to the owner.
The maneki-neko (招き猫) “beckoning cat” may have either it’s left or right paw raised, depending on the situational significance.
With the left paw raised it said to encourage customers and therefore is often displayed in shops and other businesses, to bring success for the business owner. With the right paw raised it is said to encourage wealth and wellbeing in a personal or familial sense, and is therefore found in many homes around Japan.
Most commonly the maneki-neko or “lucky cat” is white, but over time other colours have been introduced to the figurine, with slight differences in significance. White , being the most common is for good luck and overall good fortune. Black to ward of evil. Red for good health. Gold or yellow for wealth and pink for romance.
The exact time and place for the origin of the maneki-neko is not exactly known, however it is believed by most to come from Edo (former name for Tokyo) during the Edo period (1603-1868).
Gōtoku-ji Temple
Gōtoku-ji Temple, also known as the lucky cat temple, is a Buddhist temple located in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo.
The temple was first established in 1480 as Kōtoku-in, later renamed to Edo Bodaiji in 1633 after the region came under the ownership of the Hikone Domain.
In 1659 the temple was finally renamed as Gōtoku-ji after the posthumous Buddhist name for Li Naotaka, the domain’s second feudal lord.
Gōtoku-ji Lucky Cats
These days Gōtoku-ji temple is mostly known for the many Maneki-Neko or “Lucky Cats” which are offered and displayed there.
The temple kiosk sells a variety of different sized lucky cats and many visitors will purchase and offer one as a tribute, with some even decorating theirs to resemble their own pet cat.
Gōtoku-ji is a fairly large temple complex, but once you have entered the maneki-neko area it is impossible to ignore the incredible number of lucky cats!
Please visit if you can, and leave your own lucky cat!
Getting There
Gōtoku-ji Temple is a 12 minute walk from Gotokuji Station, on the Odakyu line.
The Odakyu line starts at Shinjuku station, which makes it fairly easily accessible from anywhere in the Tokyo Metropolitan area.
For more photos of Gōtoku-ji Temple, please check out my photography page!
Thank you for reading!
