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Walter Otto Koenig | all galleries >> Galleries >> PaD: Zuihitsu > January 2
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02-JAN-2012 Walter O. Koenig

January 2

Lucky Cat in the Sushi Bar

The Maneki Neko (literally "Beckoning Cat"; also known as Welcoming Cat, Lucky Cat, Cat Swipe, Money cat, or Fortune Cat)
is a common Japanese sculpture, often made of ceramic, which is believed to bring good luck to the owner.
The sculpture depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw,
and is usually displayed—many times at the entrance—in shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses.
Some of the sculptures are electric or battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning.
In the design of the sculptures, a raised left paw supposedly attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it.
Maneki Neko come in different colors, styles, and degrees of ornateness.
In addition to sculptures, Maneki Neko can be found as keychains, piggy banks, air fresheners, and miscellaneous ornaments.
Source: Wikipedia

Nikon D700 ,Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
1/320s f/2.8 at 52.0mm iso1600 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
Helen Betts03-Jan-2012 17:11
This really brings back memories of the seven years I lived in Japan. I still have a maneki neko here in Budapest that has a solar cell and waves its arm ;-). Nicely captured with good light and clarity, and also the soft sushi bar in the background. V.
pkocinski03-Jan-2012 16:58
Hello Kitty :-)
Stephanie03-Jan-2012 11:56
Cute kitty! I always get a kick out of these when I see them waving in person! :)
Super lighting and dof Walter! V
Aud Elise Sjøsæther03-Jan-2012 09:40
Lovely find! V
Guest 03-Jan-2012 08:43
Wonderful shot!
FrankB03-Jan-2012 08:38
Interesting....I thought it was a fancy Sake bottle!...crystal clear shot...V
John Reynolds LRPS03-Jan-2012 06:59
Interesting picture and text. V.
Tom LeRoy03-Jan-2012 06:46
Extra fine and clear shot, lots of Bokeh! Reminds me of my tour in Japan years ago. V
Wolfgang Bluhm03-Jan-2012 06:33
Well done. Great clarity.
fotabug03-Jan-2012 05:54
Very nice
Simon Chandler03-Jan-2012 05:25
Fantastic capture with great clarity and interesting composition. Great info. v
Bryan Murahashi03-Jan-2012 04:57
Always fun to see this cute kitty by the register. V
Sam Rua03-Jan-2012 04:46
Thanks for providing the background on these, Walter. I always treat these with fondness because it means I am about to enjoy some sushi (or have just done so).
Jim Coffman03-Jan-2012 02:59
Very nice composition for this interesting image,Walter!
Frank Brault03-Jan-2012 02:58
Intriguing. Maybe money will come to you in 2012. :) V
LyleT03-Jan-2012 02:54
Fascinating photo and caption. Well done. v
Karen Stuebing03-Jan-2012 02:40
Really cute figurine and fun photo. V.
LynnH03-Jan-2012 02:28
Fortune Cat can also be found as a bobble head with bobble paw. You put it in your car on the dashboard or rear shelf. I see quite a few of them when hunting for antenna balls. Nice colorful photo Walter, thanks for the info too!
Guest 03-Jan-2012 02:22
Great photo! I really like the clear color.
laine03-Jan-2012 01:34
a very pretty lucky cat...doesn't he work for chinese as I don't eat sushi?? :))
Mike H.03-Jan-2012 01:28
Fun composition; interesting subject and supporting information -- even low sodium soy sauce! Am thinking about sushi now. . .
Carl Carbone03-Jan-2012 01:22
Perfect capture and very interesting caption.
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