The Legend of Maneki-neko: The Lucky Cat of Japan

This is Maneki-neko.
Japanese SEAL figurines have long been one of the symbols of the Land of the Rising Sun. But where did they come from?
There is a very ancient legend that everything happened in Gotokuji temple on the outskirts of Tokyo. An eminent samurai was hiding from a downpour of thunderstorms under a large tree when he suddenly saw a kitty waving its paw at him. The samurai became interested and walked closer to the SEAL, at which point lightning struck the tree behind him.
In gratitude for saving his life, the samurai became the patron of this temple, which to this day is still lined with thousands of maneki-neko sculptures and figures.