招(まね)き猫(ねこ)

まねきねこ
noun
beckoning cat, lucky cat figurine
1. beckoning cat, lucky cat figurine
A traditional Japanese figurine of a cat with one paw raised in a beckoning gesture. Believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and customers to businesses. Commonly displayed in shops, restaurants, and homes.
お店(みせ)の入(い)り口(ぐち)に招(まね)き猫(ねこ)が置(お)いてある。
There's a lucky cat figurine at the entrance of the shop.
招(まね)き猫(ねこ)は商売繁盛(しょうばいはんじょう)の縁起物(えんぎもの)だ。
The beckoning cat is a good luck charm for business prosperity.
お土産(みやげ)に招(まね)き猫(ねこ)を買(か)った。
I bought a lucky cat figurine as a souvenir.

WORD FORMATION:

  • 招(まね)く (to beckon) + 猫(ねこ) (cat)

SYMBOLISM OF RAISED PAW:

  • 右手(みぎて)を上(あ)げる (right paw raised) - invites money/fortune
  • 左手(ひだりて)を上(あ)げる (left paw raised) - invites customers/people
  • 両手(りょうて)を上(あ)げる (both paws raised) - invites both (though some consider this greedy)

COLOR MEANINGS:

  • 白(しろ) (white) - general good luck
  • 黒(くろ) (black) - protection from evil
  • 金(きん) (gold) - wealth and prosperity
  • 赤(あか) (red) - protection from illness
  • 桃色(ももいろ)/ピンク (pink) - love and relationships

ORIGINS:

  • Originated during the Edo period
  • 豪徳寺(ごうとくじ) (Gotokuji Temple) in Tokyo is famous for 招(まね)き猫(ねこ)
  • 常滑焼(とこなめやき) (Tokoname ware) is a famous production area

RELATED TERMS:

  • 縁起物(えんぎもの) (good luck charm)
  • 商売繁盛(しょうばいはんじょう) (business prosperity)
  • 千客万来(せんきゃくばんらい) (flood of customers)

MODERN USE:

  • Ubiquitous in Japanese businesses, especially restaurants and shops
  • Popular as souvenirs and gifts
  • Has become internationally recognized

Related Words

Related: だるま (good luck charm)
general
Added 2026.1.18 8:13 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06538_manekineko