Wonderful Japanese Legends
Legend MANEKI NEKO
The name Maneki-Neko comes from Japanese, Maneki (from the verb maneku) means "to invite to pass" and Neko which means "cat", so it is literally the cat that invites to pass.
According to Japanese tradition, the message transmitted by the cat with its paw is: "Please come in, you are welcome."
The cat carries in its right hand an ancient Japanese coin called "koban" as a symbol of fortune.
As happens on many occasions, there are different versions about the origin and legend of this figure, but the most accepted is the one that we tell you below.
Legend has it that during the seventeenth century (the Edo era), at the time of the feudal lords, there was a temple in Tokyo that had serious financial problems and was semi-destroyed.
The priest who lived in the temple was very poor and shared what little food he had with his cat named Tama.
One day a feudal lord of great fortune was caught by a storm while hunting and took refuge under a large tree near the temple.
While he waited for the storm to subside, the man saw that a white, black and brown cat was beckoning him with her paw inviting him to enter the temple.
The moment he left the tree where he was taking refuge, and approached to see such a unique cat up close, lightning struck the tree that had given him shelter.
Tama had saved his life.
Grateful to the cat, the rich man befriended the priest, financed all the repairs to the temple, and the temple prospered, so that the priest and his cat never starved again.
Since then, a Maneki Neko in the workplace or in your home has been said to attract good luck and fortune.
The powerful meaning behind the color of each Fortune Cat
Depending on its color, the fortune cat Fortune Cat symbolizes luck and fortune in different areas of life: love, peace, success in business, self-confidence, health, purity ...
Find the perfect maneki-neko for you and to give to your loved ones, a beautiful way to wish luck to those around you.
DARUMA legend
The Daruma dolls are ovoid figures, without arms or legs and represent Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japanese) a monk of Hindu origin
and founder of the Zen form of Buddhism.
The figure of Daruma originated in the temple of the city of Takasaki north of Tokyo in the Meiwa period.
Legend has it that Bodhidharma spent 9 years meditating inside a cave, due to such a long time without moving, he lost his arms and legs (hence ovoid) but despite that he never fell and continued meditating.
The monk, angry with himself for having lost his arms and legs, tore his eyelids to never fall asleep again, and that is why the figure is shown with his eyes completely blank.
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Our Daruma are figures made entirely by hand in a small workshop in Japan, they are made of papier-mâché and some have a weight at their base that gives them balance and makes them sit up and return to the vertical position if you touch or push them. it is the way to represent perseverance and "getting back up" after a jolt.
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"If you fall seven times, get up eight"
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Its most characteristic feature is its face, specifically its eyes, that is where the strength of this symbol lies, which will motivate us and give us strength to achieve our goals.
It is the amulet of the purposes, the first thing you should do is visualize a goal that you want to achieve, it is not about making a wish but being clear about what you want and that only depending on you and your effort can it be achieved.
When you have it clearly visualized, you paint an eye on your Daruma (only one), and you must keep the figure in view every day until you achieve the goal you have set for yourself, he will remind you every day when you look at him that you should not abandon, or decay, and whatever happens, you will continue to make an effort to achieve what you have set out to do.
Once you have achieved your goal and as a sign of gratitude to Daruma, you will be able to paint the second eye and you will be filled with enormous satisfaction.
The more Darumas you have with both eyes painted, the more goals you will have achieved in your life.
The Daruma is a reminder of our effort and perseverance.
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Burning Daruma dolls
In Japan it is believed that every amulet has a cycle, and once that cycle is completed it must be taken to the temple to burn as a form of gratitude.
In the case of the Darumas, it is said that they have to be changed every year. Those who have reached their goals used to take their Daruma to a burning ceremony called Daruma Kuyō.