A Japanese beckoning lucky cat is welcoming new business for you!
Maneki neko Japanese Beckoning Welcome Good Luck Fortune Money Cat Cloth Textile Fabric Panel Banner, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
Here is the email:
Good morning Kennedy,
I'm interested in purchasing this item, but I was wondering what part of Japan this comes from? No worries if you don't know, but I'm planning to give it as a gift and it would be cool to tell the recipient where it originates.
Thank you.
I'm interested in purchasing this item, but I was wondering what part of Japan this comes from? No worries if you don't know, but I'm planning to give it as a gift and it would be cool to tell the recipient where it originates.
Thank you.
Maneki neko Japanese Beckoning Welcome Good Luck Fortune Money Cat Cloth Textile Fabric Panel Banner, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
Here's what I wrote back:
Hi there!
Thank you for your email and inquiry. It came with a bunch of old Japanese boro textiles I purchased from someone who said they lived in the countryside of Japan. I might be able to find it's shipping package, if I haven't reused it yet, but it's been a long time.
Best regards and have a good day,
Kennedy
Thank you for your email and inquiry. It came with a bunch of old Japanese boro textiles I purchased from someone who said they lived in the countryside of Japan. I might be able to find it's shipping package, if I haven't reused it yet, but it's been a long time.
Best regards and have a good day,
Kennedy
and she wrote back:
Hi Kennedy,
That's great to know, thanks! Don't drive yourself crazy finding the original shipping package; I was just wondering. Anyway, I just purchased it and can't wait to see it! I think it'll make a great gift.
Best.
That's great to know, thanks! Don't drive yourself crazy finding the original shipping package; I was just wondering. Anyway, I just purchased it and can't wait to see it! I think it'll make a great gift.
Best.
I did drive myself a little crazy looking for the package and the boro textiles they came with, but I couldn't find either! Yikes! More stuff getting lost in my hoard!
Maneki neko Japanese Beckoning Welcome Good Luck Fortune Money Cat Cloth Textile Fabric Panel Banner, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
Saying Goodbye: I have several of these saved and I know where they are because I give these to my friends and family when they open a new shop and I was thinking of sewing two together to make a cute bag.
I'd just have to sew the sides and the bottom together, put a string through the top panels to make a draw string side closure and leave the string in the top rivet for another closure. At least that was my idea at the time. I have not tried it yet!
Maneki neko Japanese Beckoning Welcome Good Luck Fortune Money Cat Cloth Textile Fabric Panel Banner, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
What I find interesting about the Maneko neko from wikipedia:
1. The maneki-neko (Japanese: 招き猫, literally "beckoning cat") is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In modern times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic.
The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed—often at the entrance—of shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, beckoning cat, or fortune cat in English
2. Some believe the maneki-neko originated in Osaka, while some insist it was Tokyo (then named Edo).[5] Maneki-neko first appeared during the later part of the Edo period in Japan.[5] In 1876, during the Meiji era, it was mentioned in a newspaper article, and there is evidence that kimono-clad maneki-neko were distributed at a shrine in Osaka during this time. A 1902 advertisement for maneki-neko indicates that by the turn of the century they were popular.[7]
Beyond this the exact origins of maneki-neko are uncertain, though several folktales offer explanations.
Others have noted the similarities between the maneki-neko's gesture and that of a cat washing its face. There is a Japanese belief that a cat washing its face means a visitor will soon arrive. This belief may in turn be related to an even older Chinese proverb that states that if a cat washes its face, it will rain. Thus, it is possible a belief arose that a figure of a cat washing its face would bring in customers.
3. Maneki-neko can be found with either the right or left paw raised (and sometimes both). The significance of the right and left raised paw differs with time and place. A common belief is that the raised left paw brings in customers, while a right paw brings good luck and wealth,[4] although some believe the opposite, or that one paw is for luck and the other for wealth.[5] Another interpretation says that a raised left paw attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it.[citation needed]
Still others say that a left paw raised is best for drinking establishments, the right paw for other stores[5] (those who hold their liquor well are called "left-handed" (hidari-kiki) in Japanese).[citation needed] Yet another interpretation is that right is for home and left for business.[5]
1. The maneki-neko (Japanese: 招き猫, literally "beckoning cat") is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In modern times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic.
The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed—often at the entrance—of shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, beckoning cat, or fortune cat in English
2. Some believe the maneki-neko originated in Osaka, while some insist it was Tokyo (then named Edo).[5] Maneki-neko first appeared during the later part of the Edo period in Japan.[5] In 1876, during the Meiji era, it was mentioned in a newspaper article, and there is evidence that kimono-clad maneki-neko were distributed at a shrine in Osaka during this time. A 1902 advertisement for maneki-neko indicates that by the turn of the century they were popular.[7]
Beyond this the exact origins of maneki-neko are uncertain, though several folktales offer explanations.
Others have noted the similarities between the maneki-neko's gesture and that of a cat washing its face. There is a Japanese belief that a cat washing its face means a visitor will soon arrive. This belief may in turn be related to an even older Chinese proverb that states that if a cat washes its face, it will rain. Thus, it is possible a belief arose that a figure of a cat washing its face would bring in customers.
3. Maneki-neko can be found with either the right or left paw raised (and sometimes both). The significance of the right and left raised paw differs with time and place. A common belief is that the raised left paw brings in customers, while a right paw brings good luck and wealth,[4] although some believe the opposite, or that one paw is for luck and the other for wealth.[5] Another interpretation says that a raised left paw attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it.[citation needed]
Still others say that a left paw raised is best for drinking establishments, the right paw for other stores[5] (those who hold their liquor well are called "left-handed" (hidari-kiki) in Japanese).[citation needed] Yet another interpretation is that right is for home and left for business.[5]
Another famous Japanese animal, Tanuki, the magic badger raccoon dog teapot, mini wooden figurine for terrarium or shelf display, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
What I Learned:
1. This bring back childhood memories for me because many in my family owned different shops and had banners like these in the door way or close to the doorway.
2. I bought this for myself and give them away to friends and family when they open new shops, so I have my own stash!
3. I am shocked that I still can not find the boro cloth that came with these lucky cat banners, nor the package, but most likely I've reused the package. Just when I thought my hoard organization was improving I have a little set back!
That's okay! Onwards and upwards!
Also from my childhood...
I have the entire family of these with the largest red one from my Grandmother, the larger ones come in blue and red and the 2 smaller ones in blue and red too. An extra red one is shown above.
Small vintage red kokeshi bento stacking picnic snack container, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
Thank you Etsy buyer from Hoarder Rehab for asking me a question that was such a great reminder to go hoard diving and to inspire me to continue organizing because there are still things I can't find! I did find more of kimono boro hoard, but not the indigos that came with the neko.
Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab
ever! And for all the kind people I'm meeting who are helping me
indirectly and directly in so many ways with my Hoarder Rehab! I've been gleaning so much insight about my hoarding ways!
Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!
I forget which ones, but the tabi socks are from my childhood and the getas are from a trip to Japan in the 70s, available here
They are from relatives in Japan who gave our whole family a traditional summer Japanese kimono outfit to wear for family pictures.
photo via Hoarder Rehab
I've been new listing and relisting items on each shop daily and weekly, so check them out!
Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 181 items, The Destiny of Things- 181 items, VintageToGoEasy - 187 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 185 items.
Looks like several shop needs some new listings for next week!
Maybe you'll find something to adopt and share your story too! Thanks for looking!
I have quite the collection of tansus from a huge 8 step stairway tansu, to a little childhood tansu, like the one above. The one above is available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
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Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!
