When visiting Japanese shops and restaurants (particularly older ones), you may very well see a figurine of a cat there. It is usually a white ceramic cat with one paw raised next to its ear.

Recently, souvenir shops aimed at foreigners have begun selling these figurines, and you can sometimes find ornate gold ones as well.

This figurine is called a "maneki neko," or literally, a "beckoning cat." The "beckoning" refers to attracting customers and money. Cats often stroke behind their ears with their front paws, and since Japanese people think that that gesture looks like they are calling someone to come near, they created maneki neko figurines and placed them in shops. It is said that they bring good fortune, making a shop's business prosper.

All Japanese know that much of the story, but very few people know the following story of the origins of the maneki neko. By knowing this part of the story, you can claim to know more about Japan than Japanese people themselves! (However, there are other versions of the story besides this one.)

There is an old temple in Setagaya, Tokyo called Gotokuji that was the family temple of a powerful Edo Period daimyo (feudal lord) named Ii. He was a nobleman and was able to serve as a chief minister in the Tokugawa shogunate, assisting the shogun.

One day about 380 years ago, before Gotokuji became the temple of the Ii family, Lord Ii was passing in front of the temple when he saw a cat that seemed to be beckoning to him in front of the main gate, so he decided to rest for a moment at the temple. Shortly thereafter, a violent thunderstorm broke out. Thanks to the beckoning cat, Ii stayed safe and dry in the temple, so he began to support the temple and decided to make it his family temple.

The story goes that when the cat died, the chief priest made a grave for it and later built the Shobyodo (beckoning cat hall), leading to the creation of maneki neko figurines.

Even today, you can find anything from a tiny maneki neko to a very large one at Gotokuji. Most figurines you see are holding an Edo Period coin, but those sold at Gotokuji are simpler in design, with the cat simply holding up its right paw. If the owner's wish comes true, they offer the maneki neko to the Shobyodo at Gotokuji as an expression of gratitude. Please take a look at the satisfied expressions of these many cats, large and small.

The tranquil grounds of Gotokuji spread before you once you pass through the temple gates, making you forget that you are in Tokyo. Here you can enjoy plum blossoms in the spring and beautiful foliage in the fall.

Getting to Gotokuji
From Shinjuku: On the Odakyu Line, take the semi express or local train to Goutokuji Station (about 15 minutes). The temple is approximately a 10-minute walk from the station.

From Shibuya: Take the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line express train to Sangen-jaya Station (about 5 minutes). Transfer to the Tokyu Setagaya Line and take the train to Miyanosaka Station (about 10 minutes). The temple is approximately a 5-minute walk from the station.