Tama, the Original Maneki Neko

In the 17th century, at the beginning of Edo period, there was a rundown temple in Setagaya, in the western part of Tokyo. 

The priest of the temple kept a pet cat, whose name was Tama.  Though the priest was very poor, he always made sure that Tama had something to eat.

One day, Naotaka Ii who was the lord of Hikone district, was riding home from a hunt when he was caught in a sudden rain  shower.  He sought shelter beneath a big tree in front of the temple.

While he stood beneath the tree, Naotaka noticed that the cat seemed to be inviting him into the temple.

The tree was not offering all that much in the way of shelter, so Naotaka hurried from beneath the branches to the temple gates.

No sooner had he left the tree than the tree was struck by lightning.  Naotaka's life had been saved by the cat, who was, of course, Tama.

After his near-brush with death, Naotaka and the temple priest grew close.  Naotaka chose the temple to be the family temple for the Ii family, and its name was changed to Goutokuji.  Goutokuji became prosperous. So Tama not only saved Naotaka Ii; he saved the temple.


After his death, Tama was buried at Goutokuji's cat cemetery and Maneki Nekos were invented to honor Tama.

There are different kinds of Maneki Nekos. It is said that one with the left paw raised invites customers to a  place of business.  One with the right paw raised invites good fortune.  Both paws, logically, invite both.

Maneki neko charms and earrings can be found here.

Maneki Nekos to Watch Over Japan Part III

The continuing events in Japan remind us that help is still urgently needed, so here are my maneki neko earrings to benefit Japan.

The Maneki Neko, or Good Fortune Cat, is a traditional symbol in Japan.  It is said that a Maneki Neko with the right paw raised brings fortune, one with the left paw raised brings business, and one with both paws raised brings both.

The Maneki Neko has long been a symbol of protection in Japan, as well.  There are many stories of the maneki neko (some of which you can find right here in the blog), in which a cat saves a monastery, a lady of the evening, sailors, Santa's Elves, an emperor, and more.

Some back-story:  When the earthquake a tsunami hit two weeks ago, I began to ponder a way to help Japan, and created Maneki Nekos for Japan ~ good fortune kitty earrings whose proceeds would benefit various agencies aiding Japan.  The traditional Japanese Lucky Cats did their job.  So far, together, we raised $1030 for various relief organizations: Red Cross, Save the Children, The International Medical Corp., the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, the Salvation Army, MercyCorps,  Peace Winds Japan, Doctors Without Borders, Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, and World Vets

There are many maneki neko earrings available here on the blog.  The entire $30 purchase price goes to your chosen charity.  I only ask for a $3.50 shipping/handling fee to cover the cost of shipping and the inevitable PayPal fees.  For those who do not wear earrings, I can make charms, zipper pulls, and cell phone charms, too.  There are also some bracelets and necklaces available on this blog.

If you see a pair of earrings you like, leave a comment here, or message me on FaceBook.  (Messages are not seen by the public without me approving them, so your contact info is secure.)  I will send you an invoice and ask you to choose your charity from the list above.  When you pay, I will ship your earrings, send the money to your chosen charity, and send you confirmation of the donation. 


The need in Japan in great, and I am very proud that so many of you have done so much to help.


Left Paw Seashell Maneki Neko



Black Keep-Away-Evil Two Paw Roly Poly Neko



All-Knowing Yellow Left Paw Maneki Neko



Lefty Righty Keep-Away-Evil Maneki Neko (asymmetrical)



Lounging Pink Nekos



Yellow Dangling Right Paw Maneki Nekos



Smiling Two-Paw Keep-Away-Evil Maneki Nekos




Banish the Blues Dangling Two Paw Maneki Nekos



Dapper Tuxedo Dangling Nekos




Happy Coat Right Paw Maneki Nekos



Happy Guy White Crystal Keep-Away-Evil Two Paw Maneki Nekos



Red Flower Right Paw Maneki Nekos



Dainty Green Dangling Two Paw Maneki Nekos



Pretty in Pink Right Paw Maneki Nekos



Lucky Flower Topaz Two Paw Maneki Nekos



Dangling Right Paw Black Keep-Away Evil Maneki Nekos





Dangling Green Left Paw Maneki Nekos



Dangling Peruvian Right Paw Maneki Nekos



Red Fortune Two Paw Maneki Nekos

And, last but not least, Lampwork Glass Left Paw Maneki Neko

A Neko Who Wears His Heart on His Tummy

Together with a whole lot of Maneki Nekos ~ the traditional Good Fortune Cats ~ we have  now raised $1000 for various relief organizations: Red Cross, Save the Children, The International Medical Corp., the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, the Salvation Army, MercyCorps,  Peace Winds Japan, Doctors Without Borders, Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, and World Vets.

Here's the deal.  I make the jewelry.  Earrings, which you can see in earlier posts, are $30, with $3.50 for shipping & handling within the U.S.  Of that, $30 goes to the relief organization of your choice.  I send you an invoice.  You pay.  I send your chosen charity the money, and send you your earrings, along with confirmation of the donation.  There are also necklaces and bracelets available, or I can make you a cell phone charm or zipper pull or charm.  All these items are handmade and unique.

To order, leave a comment and tell me what you want, and your email address.  Comments are not posted (unless I post them) so your email address is safe.  Let's see if we can reach a new goal of $2000.

Today there's a new necklace to tempt you and aid Japan. I have included a Buy It Now button to make the process simpler.  If you wish to pay using an alternate method, simply contact me via this blog or my FaceBook page.  Please help spread the word.

Heartful Maneki Neko

Here's a little neko who wears his heart on his tummy.  



He hangs from an 18" beaded strand of hearts, flowers, and pink brightandshinythings.

The cost is $60, with free shipping and handling. Of that, $50 goes to the charity you choose from the list above.

There is no other necklace like it in the world.  If it speaks to you, click the button.  If not, please spread the word.

Maneki Nekos for Japan

The Maneki Neko, or Japanese Beckoning Cat, has long been a symbol of protection in Japan.  There are many stories of the maneki neko, in which a cat saves a traveler, an emperor, a lady of the evening, sailors, and more. It is said that a neko with the right paw raised brings fortune; one with the left paw raised brings business; one with both paws raised brings both.

Watching the events unfold in Japan, I find myself wondering what we can do to help.  There are a number of organizations mounting aid missions: the Red Cross, Save the Children, The International Medical Corp., the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, the Salvation Army, MercyCorps, which is gathering donations for its overseas partner, Peace Winds Japan, and Doctors Without Borders, to name several.

So I made some maneki neko earrings.  LOTS of maneki neko earrings, which I will sell for $30 a set.  100% of the money you pay for the earrings goes to the charity of your choice, selected from the list above.  I only ask that you pay the shipping ($3.50 within the United States/contact me for shipping prices elsewhere).

Let's pull together with some traditional Japanese protection to help protect Japan today.

Tell me which ones you want, and I'll send you an invoice.  Once you pay, I will send you documentation that 100% of your purchase price went to the charity you chose.  If the ones you want have been sold, I'll try to make you a similar set.

Here is the parade of maneki nekos:

Happy Blue Two Paw



Roly Poly Pink Calico



Dangling Red Two Paw


Happy Red Two Paw



Reclining Fortune Lefty



Keep Away Evil Black Right Paw



Lavender Two Paw



Right Paw Fortune Nekos



Heartful Nekos



Heart Tummy Nekos



Left Paw Sushi Nekos



Gold Fortune Two Paw Neko



Roly Poly Lampwork Neko



Want more dangle?  A different color crystal?  I'll make 'em for you.  Just ask.

Maneki Neko To Do List

1.  Get up.  Wash face with right paw.

2.  Watch humans get excited over waving of right paw.  Watch humans examine checking account to see if the balance has gone up.

3.  Eat breakfast.  Empty bowl with left paw.



4.  Watch humans get excited over waving of left paw.  Watch humans start business hours early.

5.  Nap in front of business.  Take credit for all sales.



6.  Get up and stretch.  Watch humans take it as a sign,

7.  Eat lunch.  Watch humans blame lack of sales on lack of maneki neko activity.

8.  Take walk.  Bring good fortune to sailors.  Check out calico neko down the street.

9. Return to shop.  Wash face with right paw. Watch humans check bank balance.

10.  Pretend to nap.  Watch human sigh and close shop.



11.  Follow human home.  Raise right paw when human's back is turned.

12.  Eat dinner.  Raise left paw when human's back is turned.

13.  Make tomorrow's To Do list.

14.  Nap.



Maneki nekos with an agenda can be found here.

Yet Another Maneki Neko Tail

I've told several of the maneki neko origin stories on this blog, telling how the lucky good fortune cat rose to prominence, and why it is believed that the maneki neko brings fortune or business.  Here is a simple tale.

Many have noted similarities between the Maneki Neko's gesture and that of a cat washing its face.



There is a Japanese belief that a cat washing its face signifies that a visitor will soon arrive.

And this belief could easily be related to an even older Chinese proverb which states that, if a cat washes its face, it will rain.



And what easier way to get a visitor inside than a sudden downpour? 



Thus a cat washing its face, or a figure of a cat washing its face, would bring customers into a shop.



So buy one.  Buy several.  It just might work.