There are more legends about the Maneki Neko. The best known is the one from the Gotokuji Temple.
Another legend, from the Imado Shrine, Asakusa, tells the story of an old woman who, being very poor, was forced to sell her cat. Afterwards, she dreamed the cat, telling her to make a cat clay statue. She did that and then she easily sold the statue. She made more statues and so appeared the popular Maneki Neko we all like today…

Today, the Imado Shrine sells lots of Maneki Neko. And, inside the Shrine, big Maneki Neko are welcoming the visitors:

Imado Shrine, Asakusa, Tokyo

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: The Red Bridge of Tokiwagi Gate