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Gotokuji Temple is the birthplace of the lucky / beckoning cat! The story goes that during the Edo period, the final era of traditional Japanese government, a cat named Tama under the care of a priest at Gotokuji Temple beckoned a feudal lord to safety during a thunderstorm (supposedly also saving him from being struck by lighting⚡️). The cat beckoned the lord and his servants inside with a waving gesture—hence all maneki-neko statues have one paw raised.
The lord enjoyed tea with the priest while the storm raged outside. To express his thanks afterward, he donated rice and land and selected Gotokuji Temple as the cemetery for his prestigious family. | Posted on 06/May/2023 20:54:26
