The Lucky Cat (aka "Beckoning Cat" or 'Welcome Cat") is a common Japanese figurine that depicts a cat beckoning in good luck with an upright paw. It is often displayed at the entrance of shops and restaurants.
Westerners beckon with their hands palm up but Asians beckon with palms down. As far as the Maneki Neko is concerned they say that the higher the beckoning hand is held, the more luck it gathers, from farther away.
The left paw beckons in general good luck while the right paw beckons in monetary good luck. In this image I got right and left mixed up, so the left paw is raised for monetary good luck, while the character on the cat's chest ('fuku') represents general good luck. So... this is now a Double Good Luck Lucky Cat.
It is made from sumi ink and water based pigment brushed on to 3 carved blocks: black, grey/green, and red.
The print comes mounted in 8 x 10 conservation mat.
Paper size: app. 4 x 6 inchesImage size: app. 2 3/8 x 2 3/8 inches
Paper: Japanese handmade Kozo (mulberry bark)
Mat: Bainbridge Alphamat 8462 Wheat 8 x 10"
Packaged flat, hard backed, acid free crystal bag
Technique and zodiac animal descriptions included in package