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THE MAGICAL LORE OF

THE LUCKY
CAT

What are the secret stories and
myths behind the Lucky Cat?
There are many stories and legends of the Lucky cat, (and indeed, cats have been considered auspicious in many different cultures around the world, from the Ancient Egyptians to the Celts of Ireland) here are some of the most famous ones from Japan:
If you’ve ever been to one of the world’s Chinatowns or an Asian businesses, you’ve probably seen the figurine of the Chinese Lucky Cat, with its cute waving paw – also known as maneki-neko.
And if you’re thinking that maneki-neko sounds Japanese, then you’re spot on, as the cultural symbol originated in Japan before spreading throughout parts of Asia.≈
The Lucky Cat is believed to bring prosperity and good luck to its owners, due to Japanese legends, and the cultural and mythological significance of cats.
STORY #1

The Poverty-
Stricken Woman

In Tokyo, the Imado Shrine is home to a unique variation of the beckoning cat, known as the maru-shime no neko, or “good fortune cat.”
The legend dates back to 1852, when an elderly woman living near Imado faced such dire poverty that she could no longer care for her beloved cat. Heartbroken, she was forced to let the animal go. That night, the cat appeared to her in a dream and spoke: “If you make dolls in my image, I will bring you good fortune.”
Heeding the dream, the woman began crafting cat figurines and selling them at the shrine’s gates. The figurines became an instant hit, attracting buyers far and wide. True to the cat’s word, her creations brought prosperity, lifting her out of poverty and embedding the maru-shime no neko into the lore of good fortune.
STORY #2

The Courtesan’s Cat

Another tale features a courtesan who adored her pet cat.  One night, while she was entertaining guests,
Her cat began pulling at her kimono.
Mistaking its actions for mischief, the owner of the brothel took a sword and killed the cat.
To everyone’s shock, a snake fell from the rafters, revealing the cat had been trying to protect its owner.
Stricken with guilt, the courtesan honored her beloved cat by commissioning a sculpture in its image – the first maneki-neko.
STORY #3

The Life Saver Cat

One of the most popular legends traces the origins of the Lucky Cat to a temple in Tokyo, in the Edo Period (1603–1868). According to the tale, a poor abbot lived in the temple with his cat, Tama. Despite their hardships, the monk shared his food with Tama, treating the cat as family.
One day, during a thunderstorm, the local ruler Ii Naotaka sought shelter under a tree near the temple. He saw Tama beckoning him into the temple. He followed the cat, only to see the lightning strike the tree.
Grateful for having his life saved, the ruler donated money to restore the temple, which eventually became a place of prosperity. Tama, immortalized as the maneki-neko, is celebrated as the harbinger of good luck.
Today you can visit the temple, named Gōtoku-ji, and see hundreds of white cat figurines around the temple grounds. People visit and pray that they too may experience the good luck of the cat.

The Practical
Explanation
of the Lucky Cat

In 1602, an imperial decree in Japan ordered all cats to be set free, because of the importance of the silk trade and their knack for pest control to stop the mice from eating everything.
While the silk trade eventually waned, the cats’ association with prosperity stuck, evolving into their role as symbols of good fortune for businesses.
But it’s not just about pest control – it’s the care you give that brings the rewards. As Japanese professor Yoshiko Okuyama explains, “The importance of maneki-neko lies in its mythologized power to bring good fortune to the caretaker.”
And that’s where the popular saying comes from “Look after your cat, and your cat will look after you”.
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