Lucky Cat "Maneki Neko"

Often referred to as a ‘lucky cat’ in English, a Maneki-Neko is an iconic figurine and image of Japanese culture. Typically depicting a calico cat with a paw raised in a beckoning gesture, lucky cats are typically placed near the entrance of businesses in Japan.
This serves the double-purpose of beckoning luck and potential customers to enter the storefront. However, did you know that there are many different types of lucky cats in Japan? Let’s look at the history and origin of lucky cats, as well as characteristics of their design, and where to place them.

What does the pose of the lucky cat mean?

Lucky Cat Raised left paw

Raised left paw

A beckoning cat with its left hand raised is said to be beneficial for inviting people in, or in other words, for business prosperity. It is a good idea to display it in your store or office.

Lucky Cat Raised right paw

Raised right paw

Most lucky cats found placed in homes have their right paw raised. This type of lucky cat is said to bring good fortune to its owner. This style of lucky cat is commonly placed near the cashier or main entrance of shops in Japan.

Lucky Cat High raised paw

High raised paw

With an arm stretched long upwards, a lucky cat with a high raised paw has significant symbolism in its design. With a paw stretched far into the air, a lucky cat with a high raised paw brings good fortune that stretches into the far future.

Lucky Cat Both paws raised

Both paws raised

A lucky cat with both paws raised brings its owner the combined effect of left and right paws, i.e., both people and good luck. This type of lucky cat is believed to bring more fortune and longer life.

Flower Vase

Decorative Plate

Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko I - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko I - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko I

JPY ¥50,000
Choho Kiln Red Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 4.5inChoho Kiln Red Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 4.5in

Choho Kiln Red Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 4.5in

JPY ¥45,000
Choho Kiln Yellow Mori Kutani Lucky CatChoho Kiln Yellow Mori Kutani Lucky Cat

Choho Kiln Yellow Mori Kutani Lucky Cat

JPY ¥35,000
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko S - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko S - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko S

JPY ¥32,500
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko P - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko P - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko P

JPY ¥32,500
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko C - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko C

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko C

JPY ¥32,500
Choho Kiln Pink Mori Kutani Lucky CatChoho Kiln Pink Mori Kutani Lucky Cat

Choho Kiln Pink Mori Kutani Lucky Cat

JPY ¥32,500
Choho Kiln Yellow Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7inChoho Kiln Yellow Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

Choho Kiln Yellow Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

JPY ¥30,000
Choho Kiln Black Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7inChoho Kiln Black Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

Choho Kiln Black Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

JPY ¥30,000
Kakinuma Ningyo Various Colors Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky CatsKakinuma Ningyo Various Colors Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cats

Kakinuma Ningyo Various Colors Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cats

JPY ¥27,900
Kakinuma Ningyo Damask Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Lucky Cat-YellowKakinuma Ningyo Damask Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Lucky Cat-Yellow

Kakinuma Ningyo Damask Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Lucky Cat-Yellow

JPY ¥27,000
Kakinuma Ningyo Striped Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat - PinkKakinuma Ningyo Striped Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat - Pink

Kakinuma Ningyo Striped Wish Upon a Star Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat - Pink

JPY ¥25,500
Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Pale Pink - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Pale Pink - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Pale Pink

JPY ¥26,400
Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Red - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Red - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Red

JPY ¥26,400
Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Yellow - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Yellow - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Yellow

JPY ¥26,400
Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Blue - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Blue - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Blue

JPY ¥26,400
Choho Kiln Yellow Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7inChoho Kiln Yellow Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

Choho Kiln Yellow Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

JPY ¥23,800
Kakinuma Ningyo Furisode Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -OrangeKakinuma Ningyo Furisode Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Orange - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Furisode Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Orange

JPY ¥24,000
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko A - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko A - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko A

JPY ¥22,500
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko Q - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko Q - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko Q

JPY ¥20,000
Kakinuma Ningyo Furisode Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -RedKakinuma Ningyo Furisode Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Red

Kakinuma Ningyo Furisode Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Red

JPY ¥20,400
Kakinuma Ningyo Black Ninjya Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky CatKakinuma Ningyo Black Ninjya Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Black Ninjya Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat

JPY ¥20,200
Kutani Sleeping Lucky Cat - J - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Sleeping Lucky Cat - J - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Choho Kiln Purple Sakura Kutani Lucky Cat

JPY ¥17,000
Kokuzou Kiln Mizuhiki Kutani Lucky Cat - RedKokuzou Kiln Mizuhiki Kutani Lucky Cat - Red - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kokuzou Kiln Mizuhiki Kutani Lucky Cat - Red

JPY ¥15,200
Kakinuma Ningyo Kinran Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKakinuma Ningyo Kinran Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Kinran Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat

JPY ¥14,400
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko T - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko T - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko T

JPY ¥55,000
Choho Kiln Pink Mori Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 4.5inChoho Kiln Pink Mori Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 4.5in

Choho Kiln Pink Mori Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 4.5in

JPY ¥42,500
Choho Kiln Red Mori Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky CatChoho Kiln Red Mori Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat

Choho Kiln Red Mori Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat

JPY ¥37,500
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko G - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko G - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko G

JPY ¥37,500
Choho Kiln Black Mori Kutani Lucky CatChoho Kiln Black Mori Kutani Lucky Cat

Choho Kiln Black Mori Kutani Lucky Cat

JPY ¥35,000
Choho Kiln Light Blue Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7inChoho Kiln Light Blue Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

Choho Kiln Light Blue Sakura Oinori Neko Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

JPY ¥30,000
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko BKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko B - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko B

JPY ¥27,500
Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Pink - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Pink - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kakinuma Ningyo Hello Kitty Edo Kimekomi Doll Lucky Cat -Pink

JPY ¥26,400
Choho Kiln White Flower Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.9inChoho Kiln White Flower Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.9in

Choho Kiln White Flower Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.9in

JPY ¥23,800
Choho Kiln Pink Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7inChoho Kiln Pink Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

Choho Kiln Pink Mori Kutani Lucky Cat 3.7in

JPY ¥23,800
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko O - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko O - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Choho Kiln Yellow Flower Kutani Lucky Cat with Sea Bream

JPY ¥23,800
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko E - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko E - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko E

JPY ¥22,500
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko K - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko K - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko K

JPY ¥18,750
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko D - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko D - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko D

JPY ¥17,500
Kokuzou Kiln Flower Party Kutani Lucky Cat - RedKokuzou Kiln Flower Party Kutani Lucky Cat - Red

Kokuzou Kiln Flower Party Kutani Lucky Cat - Red

JPY ¥16,500
Kokuzou Kiln Flower Party Kutani Lucky Cat - BlueKokuzou Kiln Flower Party Kutani Lucky Cat - Blue

Kokuzou Kiln Flower Party Kutani Lucky Cat - Blue

JPY ¥16,500
Kokuzou Kiln Cherry Blossoms Kutani Lucky Cat - PinkKokuzou Kiln Cherry Blossoms Kutani Lucky Cat - Pink

Kokuzou Kiln Cherry Blossoms Kutani Lucky Cat - Pink

JPY ¥16,500
Kokuzou Kiln Cherry Blossoms Kutani Lucky Cat - BlueKokuzou Kiln Cherry Blossoms Kutani Lucky Cat - Blue

Kokuzou Kiln Cherry Blossoms Kutani Lucky Cat - Blue

JPY ¥16,500
Kokuzou Kiln Glaze Camellia Kutani Lucky CatKokuzou Kiln Glaze Camellia Kutani Lucky Cat

Kokuzou Kiln Glaze Camellia Kutani Lucky Cat

JPY ¥15,200
Kokuzou Kiln Mizuhiki Kutani Lucky Cat - BlackKokuzou Kiln Mizuhiki Kutani Lucky Cat - Black - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware

Kokuzou Kiln Mizuhiki Kutani Lucky Cat - Black

JPY ¥15,200
Kokuzou Kiln Red Camellia Kutani Lucky CatKokuzou Kiln Red Camellia Kutani Lucky Cat

Kokuzou Kiln Red Camellia Kutani Lucky Cat

JPY ¥13,800
Kutani Sleeping Lucky Cat - Maneki NekoKutani Sleeping Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware
Sold out

Kutani Sleeping Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko

JPY ¥40,000
Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko U - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese DinnerwareKutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko U - MUSUBI KILN - Handmade Japanese Tableware and Japanese Dinnerware
Sold out

Kutani Lucky Cat - Maneki Neko U

JPY ¥40,000