The origin of Japanese lucky cats
Show. The colors and sizes are a little different, but they all look the same. Sushi shops, noodle shops, Chinese restaurants and small shops selling box lunch all have such decorations-this is the "lucky cat"
People who run shops and companies regard lucky cats as mascots and usually put them in shops and companies.
At the entrance, or where customers can easily see it. Some people put lucky cats at their doorsteps. Zhaofumaoju
Raise your front paws to attract customers and money.
So when did the lucky cat begin to appear? There are different opinions on this matter, and it is difficult to reply.
I don't know There are mainly the following three statements.
(1) haode temple (setagaya-ku, Tokyo) says: edo period (1658- 160) wanji period.
One day in 60 AD, the Lord Yi of Yan Genfan (now Yan Genfan City, Shiga County) came back from hunting with an eagle and was on his way home.
When he passed by the front of Haode Temple, he saw a white cat waving to him, so he walked into Haode Temple. A little later.
There was a sudden thunder in Edo City, killing and injuring many people. If no white cat greeted him, I would be straight.
Filial piety may also be struck by lightning. In order to thank the white cat for saving his life, he ordered the monks in the temple to help the cat after it died.
Repair the tomb and bury it. Later, the temple always respected cats and made cat-shaped decorations.
② Prostitutes raising cats: Edo period, Lu Yuan period (1688- 1703), Edo (today)
There used to be a prostitute named "Tai Fu Bo Yun" in the amusement district of Tokyo. She has a cat. One day a
A big snake appeared in front of her and the cat gave her life to save her. In order to thank the cat for saving his life, she made a cat.
Bury and support, often go there to burn incense.
(3) The brothel decoration says: During the Edo period, next year (178 1- 1788) will be in Edo.
There is a brothel in the city with a pair of big golden cats and silver cats in front of it, and the business is very prosperous. Easy obedience
It can be seen from all kinds of legends in the world that lucky cats appeared in the edo period. In the second half of the eighteenth century, pottery was like this.
A lucky cat appeared in the shop.
It is said that the custom of keeping cats has been popular since the edo period. Japanese think cats are (1) cute, (2)
Can protect food from mice, (3) wise (with a little cunning), (4) mysterious ... and so on.
. So further, there are all kinds of far-fetched statements, such as cats have incredible feeding ability.
Wealth and making money and so on.
In addition, a lucky cat raised its front paws, which seems to come from the legend of China. It is said that there is a saying in China,
When a cat wipes its face with its front paws, it means that a guest has come. It can be considered that the guests consulted here are business customers.
The meaning of. In addition, whether a cat uses its right paw or its left paw has different meanings. Raise your right paw to attract.
Bao, raise your left paw to attract customers. Generally speaking, most lucky cats in shops will raise their left paws.
Yes There are also "strange cats" who are both lucky and inviting guests, raising their front paws as if to shout long live.
As for the color of cats, most of them are white, black and brown "three-haired cats". This is the first one in Japan.
The image of a cat. Because many colors show great power. There are also rare black or red bodies.
Cats. It is said that black cats can eliminate disasters and red cats can get rid of diseases. Look at the height of the cat's front paws. It is said that height
Those who exceed their ears are lucky.
When congratulating the opening of a shop or company, you can send a mascot such as a lucky cat. Even now, this kind of luck
Item is still very popular. But interestingly, cats don't always have a good image, and sometimes they symbolize "malice".
"Cunning" and "stubborn". In Japanese ghost stories, monsters are often changed from cats. Also, say, "Cats are very delicate.
"Calling" means that a person flatters others with charming voice for some purpose; Say, give the dried fish to the cat.
"Giving cats what they like to eat seems to be warning cats not to leave valuables lying around.
People you can't trust, or they will be stolen. These statements may also be related to the above-mentioned "prostitutes keep cats"
Related, so cats have this special image. However, commercial lucky cats are a sign of attracting customers after all.
Sign. In order to pray for family integrity, you can also put a lucky cat at your door.
There is also an interesting idiom about cats, which is "Give the cat a small sentence". The clause refers to the lucky cat in the photo on the previous page.
Holding the currency of the edo period, this idiom means "the cat doesn't know the value of money, so I didn't give it money."
Any meaning ",which is equivalent to China's idiom" casting pearls before swine ". So, "a cat who doesn't know the value of money.
Can you really make money? "But then again, if cats really understand the value of money, then the cost.
With great efforts, the money will not be given to others, and it has already been put into your pocket. People and even cats.
Everyone should make use of it, let it attract customers and money for themselves, and finally all the benefits belong to themselves, which seems to be the most important.
I'm afraid it's still us humans who are cunning!