Black Mori Lucky Cat
This black lucky cat, or maneki neko, has a cute figure with both hands raised.
The pattern is painted using the mori-e technique, similar to slip trailing. A thick paint is squeezed out of an icchin, a dispenser with a fine tip, and the patterns are carefully painted onto the surface.
The black cat is considered to be a cat with special powers, and it was cherished for its ability to absorb the evil spirits and disasters of a house.
A lucky cat with its right hand raised is said to “invite money,” while a lucky cat with its left hand raised is said to “invite people.” Thus, a lucky cat with both its right and left hands raised is said to bring money and customers.
In the old days, Japanese farmers living with cats were said to prosper without crop damage because cats would drive away rats that damaged their crops.
Today, the lucky cat is popular as a charm of good financial fortune.
