{"product_id":"bucket-hat-maneki-neko","title":"Bucket Hat 'Maneki Neko' - 招き猫","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe beckoning cat, embroidered with its gold coin\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003emaneki neko\u003c\/strong\u003e (招き猫, \"beckoning cat\") is one of the most widely distributed figures on earth, standing in the window of shops across Japan and far beyond it. The statue shows a seated cat raising one front paw in invitation, usually in painted ceramic. The detail that matters is which paw: left raised draws in customers, which is why retailers prefer it; right raised draws in money, which is why banks do; both raised belongs to the ambitious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts \u003cstrong\u003eorigin\u003c\/strong\u003e comes down through competing legends. The best known holds that in the seventeenth century the feudal lord Ii Naotaka was saved from a violent storm by a cat that beckoned him inside the temple of Gōtoku-ji in Setagaya, now western Tokyo. In gratitude he made the temple the Ii family chapel and the cult of the saving cat took hold. Gōtoku-ji today keeps more than 10,000 maneki neko figures left by visitors asking for prosperity, and has become one of the most photographed places in the city.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe embroidery gives a \u003cstrong\u003esoftened cartoon reading\u003c\/strong\u003e of the classic figure: off-white fur with grey markings, eyes closed in a laughing arc, faintly pink cheeks, pointed ears, and the yellow \u003cem\u003ekoban\u003c\/em\u003e gold coin held at the belly — the wealth the cat is supposed to attract. The left paw is the raised one, which makes this the version that calls in customers rather than cash.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mid-profile bucket shape makes the white of the cat and the gold of the coin carry. Wear it with an oversized pastel sweatshirt, a checked skirt and white sneakers, or with a heavyweight white tee and straight jeans for everyday. The brim earns its place on shopping days and long walks. Made for shopkeepers with a superstition, for people with cats, for anyone who has been to Gōtoku-ji — and it is a genuinely good present for a new business or a new flat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e98% cotton, 2% elastane\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMid profile, 7.5 cm (3 in) brim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne size: 54.9-60 cm (21.6-23.6 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoft inner lining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlat seams and clean finishing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Japan Clothing","offers":[{"title":"Black","offer_id":53756652093787,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey","offer_id":53756652126555,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Khaki","offer_id":53756652159323,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White","offer_id":53756652192091,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0550\/9300\/2473\/files\/bucket-hat-maneki-neko-black.jpg?v=1786455488","url":"https:\/\/japan-clothing.com\/products\/bucket-hat-maneki-neko","provider":"JAPAN CLOTHING","version":"1.0","type":"link"}