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| 2/18/14 Platinum Carbon ink, Van Gogh watercolors, Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook |
If you’ve ever eaten in a Japanese restaurant, you’ve
probably seen her: Maneki Neko (“beckoning cat”). A symbol of good luck, the
kitty with the raised paw is often seen near the entrance of restaurants and
other businesses as a welcoming gesture. It’s been speculated that Hello Kitty, that mouthless maven of
merchandising, is based on the Maneki Neko image. I don’t know about that, but
I learned that Maneki has been around since the Edo period. The Bellevue Arts Museum had an excellent exhibition
last year of a private collection of more than 150 Manekis, including antiques
as well as contemporary interpretations.
I can’t recall where my ceramic Maneki Neko came from
(purchased from Seattle’s Uwajimaya,
perhaps?), but she sits on our mantel welcoming guests. Until I sketched
her, I hadn’t noticed that her toenails are painted gold.
(If these days and days of continuous rain and blustery
winds don’t let up soon, you’re going to end up seeing everything else on my
mantel and in the rest of my house.)
You've taught me something I didn't know. I'll have to look for the welcoming cat when I go to a Japanese restaurant. Nice sketch of the welcoming cat. It is funny how when we are stuck indoors we will start sketching anything. lol Hope the weather improves for you.
ReplyDeleteGood sketch. I had no idea they were so ancient.
ReplyDelete