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Maneki Neko

OLYMPUS XA2

DNP Centuria400

 

The Maneki Neko is often used as a piggy bank.The Maneki Neko (招き猫?, literally "Beckoning Cat"; also known as Welcoming Cat, Slappy Cat, Lucky Cat, Money cat, or Fortune Cat. Sometimes incorrectly labelled Chinese Lucky Cat by Benjamin Penney) is a common Japanese sculpture, often made of ceramic, which is believed to bring good luck to the owner. The sculpture depicts a cat (traditionally a Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed—many times at the entrance—in shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning. In the design of the sculptures, a raised left paw supposedly attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it.

 

Maneki Neko come in different colors, styles, and degrees of ornateness. In addition to sculptures, Maneki Neko can be found as keychains, piggy banks, air fresheners, and miscellaneous ornaments.

 

From Wikipedia

 

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Uploaded on January 2, 2011
Taken on January 2, 2011