The ubiquitous Maneki Neko is one of the most popular Japanese good luck charms and one of the most charming images defining Japan.

There are several versions of the legend, each of them accompanied by a Maneki Neko style of statue, the most popular being the Gotokuji Temple legend and the Imado Shrine story. Of course, there are also modern takes on Maneki Neko statues, but all of them are somehow similar to the traditional design…

Maneki Neko statue, Osaka

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Japanese traditional architecture, Haiken-mado “looking windows”