Since this new blog is still new, I’ll take some time to explain what is the small cat holding a golden coin you can see over the logo in the middle column.
In Japan that is called 招き猫 (maneki neko) and it litterally means beckoning cat, or welcoming cat. In the present days it is just one more clearly recognizable symbol of the japanese culture and traditions maybe, but its origin goes back in time. Supposedly it originated in the late Edo period (1603-1867) but the first documented evidence is dated 1870; by the beginning of the 20th century, the maneki neko was already popular.
With his left paw raised, the cat beckons people, attracting them, and that is why shops in the 20th century had quite often a maneki neko near the entrance, so to lure clients inside. The idea of the cat as a lucky charm translated in this case in that of a cat bringing visitors and then wealth with them.
Nowadays however, they are more of a cultural icon than a tradition and certainly modern shops don’t keep them by the entrance. If you go to Tokyo’s Shitamachi Museum near the south-eastern edge of Ueno Park, you can find a maneki neko in the replica of a Edo period shop, and if you ask, the old lady at he museum will tell you the story of those little cat statues. That was actually my first contact with the concept of maneki neko, back in 2004 when I first went to Tokyo.
Since that day the image of this cat struck me, partly cause I always had a crush for cats and partly cause I found the idea fascinating and so traditionally and intrinsically japanese. My next move was to buy some (they are sold in a billion souvenir shops around Japan) for myself and for my friends, and when I discovered they also were popular on cellphone straps I couldn’t avoid buying some, could I?
This brings me to the other thing I wanna explain about the maneki neko: the differences in color between them and their meaning, plus the difference in meaning between the raised paw(s) of the cats.
Calico cat: this is the most popular maneki neko, the one with black and orange/brown patches. It is considered to be the luckyest cat of all.
White cat: second most popular cat, this symbolizes purity and positive things to come.
Black cat: a ward against evil, sending away the malevolent spirits.
Golden cat: brings wealth and prosperity.
Pink or red cat: for love and romance, in a relationship or marriage. Or to attract it!
Green cat: for health and studies, popular between students.
Right paw raised: attracting money and good fortune.
Left paw raised: beckoning people, attracting customers.
Both paws raised: protection for home or businness.
In recent years many more types and poses have become popular, for example the sleeping cat whishing you good sleep, or the maneki neko has been used in different environments like a traditional or familiar icon, for example on sweets.
There are anyway many more layers or informations about these small little fellas (well, not all of them, you can easily find some huge maneki neko as well), for example what is that coin they hold in their hads? Why do some of them have a red collar with a bell?
Well, seems like everything, even if it’s just a cheep maneki neko souvenir, has some hidden meaning in it. Maybe I’ll explain some more next time, or maybe I’ll just point you to and interesting article about them on the A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddism. Doesn’t explain everything, but it adds some more interesting facts or suppositions anyway. 
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