The Tokyo Traveler

Cats, dogs, horses and birds, oh my!  These are just a few of the animals that represent good fortune in Japan.  They are a common sight in business and homes around Tokyo and are often printed on talismans that can be purchased from the temples and shrines that abound in the city of Tokyo.  Folklore and tradition play a big part in the symbolic use of animals to ensure good fortune and prosperity to those who display them.  Here are just a few of the creatures in the menagerie:
Maneki-neko is a cat with a raised paw that is displayed to …read more

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The Tanuki or Raccoon dog is famous in Japan as a symbol of protection from fire and theft and is said to be able to help businesses flourish. They are also know as very mischievous and fun loving creatures and as a result you will often find statues of them outside bars and restaurants. Some people even have them at the entrance to their homes for protection.
The formal name for the Tanuki is Otanuki-sama which translates to “Sir Raccoon Dog” and the origin on the name dates back to 1872 when a steward at the Sensoji Temple in …read more

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