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Tokyo temple’s beckoning cats keep visitors purring in
Maneki neko (beckoning cat) ornaments are seen at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on March 12. Visitors purchase a cat at the temple and then set it in place in gratitude for their wishes coming true. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
A five-minute walk from Miyanosaka Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line, Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward offers a fun sight for visitors.
By a path leading to the main temple sit a huge number of bright white cat figures placed around a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Many tourists visit just to take photos.
These are maneki neko, beckoning cats, figures that are believed to bring good luck and are said to have originated at the temple.
Legend has it that during the Edo Period, a chief priest at the temple, had a cat he cared for very much. One day, feudal lord Ii Naotaka passed by with his servants and saw the cat, which appeared to be waving at him to come inside.
Curious, they entered and were greeted by the priest. As the priest served them tea and offered a sermon, a thunderstorm broke outside.
MORE...http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/05/national/tokyo-temples-beckoning-cats-keep-visitors-purring/
