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The "waving cat" statue is a common item displayed in bedrooms or offices with the meaning of attracting wealth, bringing prosperity and success. Cat statues are widely popular feng shui items in both the Chinese and Vietnamese communities, leading many to mistakenly believe this invention originated in China. However, tracing its origins reveals that the "waving cat" has its roots in Japan, where it is known as Maneki Neko.
A famous location for Maneki Neko cats is Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo's Setagaya district, where a legend explains the appearance of this lucky cat. There are many versions of the lucky cat waving its left or right paw, but at this temple, most of the cats raise their right paw.
Gotokuji Temple in autumn.
The ancient temple was built in the 17th century.
The main hall inside Gotokuji Temple.
The story, dating back to the Edo period, tells of a cat belonging to a monk at Gotokuji Temple that guided a lord to safety during a storm. Ii Nataoka, the second lord of Omi-Hikone, took shelter from the rain under a tree near the temple. He saw a cat waving its paw and followed it, but just as he left, the tree was struck by lightning and felled.
He donated money to Gotokuji Temple to express his gratitude for the cat saving his life. The Maneki Neko statue was created to show the lord's appreciation. Later, visitors to the temple also began to worship the cat statue to pray for blessings.
Visitors were surprised by the number of lucky cat figurines here.
Lucky cat figurines are everywhere.
Most of the cats are gifts to the temple from visiting tourists.
Gotojuki Shrine has more Maneki Neko statues than any other temple or shrine in Japan. A small corner of the shrine features wooden shelves displaying hundreds of waving cat statues of various sizes. These statues can be made from different materials such as wood, stone, metal, and porcelain, and come in many colors. Among them, the traditional white Maneki Neko statues are the most common. Most of these Maneki Neko statues are donated to the temple by visitors.
The tranquil Gotokuji Temple, located on the outskirts of Tokyo, is the perfect place for cat lovers interested in Japanese culture and history. Visitors will receive a warm and friendly welcome from the temple staff. Even with a language barrier, visitors can learn about the temple's history in English.
These ema wood plaques are used to write wishes at the temple.
Kaneki cats are considered lucky cats that can help their owners prosper in business.
The Kaneki cats at Gotokuji Temple all raise their right paws upwards.
Inside the temple, you can find omikuji (Japanese fortune-telling slips) and cat figurines of various sizes for sale. Most of the miniature cat figurines in the shop cost around 300 yen, while the largest, life-sized figurines cost around 5,000 yen. Tourists can also choose an ema (wooden plaque) to write their prayers on, then hang it on the wall hoping their wishes will come true.
Behind the temple lies a cemetery that bears the historical imprint of the site. In historical places, cemeteries are usually off-limits to visitors. At Gotokuji Temple, however, the cemetery, believed to contain the remains of the Ii clan, the family that built the temple, is open to visitors.
