The Maneki Neko, the beckoning cat, is one of the most iconic souvenirs of Japan and there are several legends about its origin. One of these set place in the Gotokuji Temple, in the Setagaya district.
In the Edo period, Li Naotaka, a Feudal Lord, was passing by with his entourage near the Gotokuji Temple, which was almost in ruins due to lack of donations. Naotaka noticed a cat inside the temple that seemed to be beckoning him with its paw to approach and then decided to enter the temple where he was greeted by the guardian monk. Shortly after a storm broke out and a lightning bolt fell right in the exact spot where the Feudal Lord had stopped shortly before! Naotaka realized that the cat had saved his life and therefore made a large donation that allowed the Temple to shine again.
Today, inside the Gotokuji, which is also an interesting temple with a pagoda and splendid Japanese maples, there is an area dedicated to maneki neko with hundreds of figurines of various sizes. It is of course possible to buy a lucky Maneki neko to take home, or leave it with the others at the Maneki Neko Temple, perhaps after having written your name or wish on the back.
