Fashion And Styles: Maneki Nekos for Japan

Monday, March 14, 2011

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