A purr-fect place to pray: Thousands of fortune cats are placed at Japanese temple for good luck and prosperity
Popular Maneki-Neko's are displayed at the Goutoku Temple in the Japanese capital city Tokyo on January 26 .Luck cats are usually displayed outside shops and restaurants in south-east Asia to welcome good fortune . Along with a number of popular legends,they first appeared during the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan
A temple in Tokyo has now become a home to more than one thousand beckoning cat statues, in a bid to bring good luck to its grounds and surroundings. These red and white figurines go by the name Maneki-Neko, which literally means 'beckoning cat' in Japanese. They were put on display at the Goutoku Temple in the country’s capital on January 26.
These lucky charms are usually displayed at the entrance of shops and restaurants across south-east Asia welcoming good fortune, happiness, purity and positive things to come. The unique Goutoku Temple is well known for its large collection of beckoning cats residing inside it, as well as its stunning architecture and history. Maneki-Neko’s are adorable sculptures usually made out of ceramic. They are popular fortune cats that sit on their back legs with one arm raised as if they are waving at people. Some of them have arms that do physically wave up and down, they are believed to bring happiness and prosperity to those who display them.
The legend behind the Maneki-Neko at the Goutoku Temple is about a wealthy lord who was taking shelter under a tree from the rain. He saw the temple priest’s cat beckoning to him to follow, so he did. As soon as he left the tree it was struck by lightning, saving the lord’s life.
The wealthy lord became friends with the priest at the temple, and when the cat died the first Maneki-Neko was made in his honour to keep the temple prosperous and lucky.
They are usually impeccably dressed, with a bell attached to their collars in white and red, but sometimes they are gold to bring in wealth to their owner.
By CHLOE LYME FOR MAILONLINE