There is a particular and funny doll in Japan: this is called “manekineko” and this is a Japanese figurine which is believed to bring good luck. It depicts a cat with an upright paw. The significance of the right and left raised paw differs with time and place. Some says that a left paw raised is best for drinking establishments, the right paw for other stores; another interpretation is that right is for home and left for business. Some of big and modern Manekineko has also a battery or a system that permits to the doll to move their lifted arm up and down.
This doll has a medal where is written ”fuku” that in Japanese means “fortune”. The name “manekineko” is a composition of ”maneki”, that derives from “maneku” that is a verb that means “to come” , and “neko” that means “cat”.
This doll has the function to attract peace, fortune and good things. This dolls can be located in many places; many students have a small Manekineko on their desk to attract the motivation to study, the concentration or intelligence. While if the Manekineko is located in the dining room or in the kitchen it means that the doll has to attract food. If the doll is located in the living room it has to attract the chances or the time where the family can be united and happy together. If the Manekineko is located in shops or restaurants it has to attract clients so it has to attract money. Japanese people believe a lot on lucky charms and the most important one are sold in shrines.
There is a really famous shrine in Kyoto called Kitano tenmangu that is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician that is considered the god of education. In fact in this shrine they sell lucky charms for students. Another famous shrine is the Izumo-Taisha Grand Shrine that is considered the ultimate shrine of love and relationships of all kinds (business partners, friendships, etc).
Today, the concept of the Manekineko continues to evolve, with the different colours of the figurine symbolizing different wishes.
Anna Locatelli, 3 B Scientifico
