Everyone seems to adore Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat). I can’t seem to go anywhere (from restaurants to shoe stores) without seeing one of those kitties sitting pretty greeting on a counter pawing her greeting to the customers.

I’m not sure why, but the Neko isn’t quite my thing, unless it were made with Chirimen Crepe that it! Then they’d be totally crazy beautiful with bedazzling prints and I would adore them. But I’m straying…so back to the Maneki Neko.

Neko is everywhere and in ever form - they are big, small, key chain accessories tiny, made from porcelain, clay, wooden, fabric, printed on fabric (Maneki Neko T-shirts), made into games, etc.

But what about the other luck animal of the Japanese and Chinese culture? Seems unfair that kitty witty gets all the attention…So which other animal is it that should be sharing the the podium with Maneki Neko? Well check out my next post to find out….

Meantime, here’s is a page you must check out if you really love Maneki Neko or would like to understand what the craze is all about.

Just follow Neko:

Iron Neko will take you to Alan Pate, who will tell you more 

Image Source: Ben Jenkins, via Antique Japanese Dolls