Maneki Neko: The Gold Coins of Friendship

There are many stories behind the maneki neko, the famous beckoning cat, who brings business and fortune: the story of Tama who saves a temple, the story of how a maneki neko saved a lady of the evening, and the story of how a maneki neko saved a Samurai warrior are some that have appeared here.

The word Maneki means beckoning or inviting, and the word Neko means cat. This famous cat is called the Beckoning Cat and represents a Japanese cat with its paw raised. In Japan people so believe in this good-luck cat that many of them would not dream of having a business without one.
Other names for this lucky cat is the Welcoming Cat, the Lucky Cat, the Money Cat, the Fortune Cat and the Happy Cat. A maneki neko with his right paw raised is said to bring fortune; one with the left paw raised brings business.

Today's tale is about a maneki neko and a fishmonger.  In 1816, in Japan, there lived a fishmonger. Each day he visited a money lender. He always brought some fish for the lender’s cat and soon he and the cat were the best of friends.

One day the fishmonger became sick, too sick to work.  He worried about his livelihood but he was too weak to get out of bed.  That night, when he finally fell asleep, even in his sleep he worried.

The next morning, when he woke up, there were two gold coins next to his bed. The following morning there were another two coins.  And the following morning, another two.

The fishmonger gave thanks for this miracle, which gave him time to heal and which put food on his table.

When finally he was well again, he visited the money lender and, of course, brought some fish for the cat, as he had always done. But the cat was nowhere to be seen.

The fishmonger asked where the cat was.  The money lender replied that he had caught the cat stealing gold coins from his purse, and had killed him.

The fishmonger was horrified, and told the money lender about the mysterious gold coins that had appeared by his bed each night.  He finally understood that it was the cat who had tried to help a friend in need.

Now the money lender regretted killing his cat. He understood that it had only tried to help, and a tombstone was built for his lost friend.   The stone told of an animal who did “virtuous and good acts."

Many maneki nekos to be found here and here.

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.

A Pretty in PInk Maneki Neko for Japan

Together with a whole lot of Maneki Nekos ~ the traditional Good Fortune Cats ~ we have now raised over $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 and 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.

The cost is $40.  Of that, $30 goes to the charity of your choice, from the list above.  I charge $3.50 shipping, to cover postage and PayPal fees, and $10 to cover silver costs.


It is a one-of-a-kind necklace.  If it speaks to you, buy it now.  There will never be another like it.

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

Maneki Neko Magic

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 bracelet 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.

Let Fortune Come Your Way 
PORCELAIN & STERLING SILVER MANEKI NEKOS with
PRESSED GLASS & CRYSTALS (FIRE-POLISH, SWAROVSKI, & CHINESE)
a charmed bracelet

Long believed to be the beckoners of good fortune and business, maneki nekos stand by the entry of many Japanese businesses and homes.  

This bracelet features 5 maneki nekos ~ enough to bring you fortune 5-fold.  Those with a right paw raised are said to beckon fortune; those with the left paw raised bring business.  Both paws raised?  All KINDS of fortune. 

And at the center, there is a sterling silver two-paw maneki neko.  

He is surrounded by 4 more porcelain nekos, of  the two-paw variety and the undecided variety.  

Each is decorated with flowers of lavender and plum.  They dangle amidst Swarovski pearls, pressed glass hearts, fire polish and Chinese crystals in dark amethyst.  And each Cornerstoregoddess bracelet comes with a bead to protect the wearer from the evil eye.

The beads are hand wrapped with sterling silver wire onto a sterling silver chain,  approximately 7-1/2" (19 cm) in length, that closes with a silver plated lobster clasp.  

This is a one-of-a-kind bracelet, handmade bracelet, absolutely unique.

The cost is $125.  Shipping is free.  Of that, $100 goes to the charity of your choice, chosen from the list above.

There is no other bracelet like it in the world, so if this one speaks to you, click the button.  If not, please spread the word.  Thanks for your help and support.

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.