Out & About San Diego — Beckoning cats at Mingei International Museum

Beckoning cats
at Mingei International Museum

I've seen beckoning cats before but always called them waving cats. I had always thought that they were waving goodbye but in actuality they are beckoning. They're called Maneki Mako, and are Japanese folk art from the Edo Period in Japan, 1603 to 1867. Their beckoning brings good fortune and wealth to individuals and businesses.

Legend has it that a wealthy Japanese feudal lord was seeking shelter from a thunderstorm near a temple. He left the area when he saw the temple priest's cat beckoning to him. Moments later the tree was struck by lightning. The lord showed his gratitude by befriending the temple's priest and helping the temple prosper.

The left paw is raised to bring money and fortune, while the right paw is raised to bring good luck and health. Many also believe that the higher the paw, the greater the good fortune and luck. You'll notice in my pictures here that some of the cats have bibs. The bibs relate to statues of the religious figure Jizo Bostasu, protector of the sick. Bibs were placed around his statues to pray for, or show gratitude for, the recovery of sick children.

The cats in the collection are made of clay, stone, wood, ceramic, metal, and papier mâché. The colors of the beckoning cats also have meaning. Black represents safety and is supposed to drive evil away, while white symbolizes happiness and satisfaction. Gold, obviously, suggests money, and helps increase fortune. Red is meant to protect from evil spirits and illnesses.

Many of the cats also have a coin, either dangling from the cat's bib or being held in its paw. The coin is a koban, a monetary unit used during the Edo period, and ties into the cat's role of bringing good fortune and wealth.

Once you finish admiring all of the beckoning cats, you can buy a book about them or actually buy some beckoning cats in the museum store.

The beckoning cats exhibit runs through January 15, 2012.

Mingei International Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is located at 1439 El Prado in Balboa Park.

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Cost to get in is just $8 for adults, and while you're there, check out the quilt exhibit, which was the subject of my previous post.

After your visit to the Mingei International Museum, if you'd like to explore San Diego and look for your new home, just give me a call!

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