Marriage Contract At Homeland Of The “Maneki-neko”
“Maneki-neko” is a famous cat-decorated statue and is often bought as a gift by visitors when traveling to Japan. You can find them anywhere in Japan, but do you know their true birthplace is in Asakusa? In this article, I would like to introduce “Imado Shrine”, which is considered to be Maneki-Neko’s hometown.
The birthplace of Maneki-neko: Imado shrine
The temple is located along the Sumida River, a 15-minute walk from Tobu Asakusa Station. This temple is located right next to Sensoji, so if you have the opportunity to visit Asakusa, you can also drop by here. In front of the temple’s Torii gate, you will come across the Maneki-neko sign. You can easily tell.
Maneki-neko was originally made with the “Imadoyaki” pottery-burning method or is used to bake pottery around the Imado shrine area. Why is the cat-shaped figurine made here? At Imado Shrine, there is still the following story: Once upon a time in the Asakusa area, an old lady had a cat. The old lady, being so poor, was forced to leave her beloved cat. On the night the cat was released, the cat appeared in the old woman’s dream. “Make a cat-shaped statue. And that way you can live happily ever after.” The old woman made the statue exactly as the cat told her, the cat-shaped statue was very popular with everyone. Many people came to buy this statue and from there the old lady no longer had to live a poor life. This is one explanation of why Maneki-neko was born in this land. There are many legends about the birth of the cat Maneki-neko.
There are lots of cats on the temple grounds welcoming you
n the precinct of Imado Shrine, Maneki-Neko’s hometown is full of cats. The Maneki-neko statues stacked side by side to create a scene unique to Imado Shrine that you cannot find in any other temple.Occasionally you may come across real cats among statues. The scene mixed with cat statues is a real cat.
Imado Shrine worships the gods “Izanagi” and “Izanami” to be considered the first couple in Japan. These are the 2 famous gods known as the 2 Gods of marriage
After seeing Maneki-neko, pray to meet good predestination. … The predestined connection of people to people, especially men and women.
Maneki-neko was bought as a gift by many people
“Maneki-neko” is sold in many places as gifts for visitors to bring, and you can also buy them at Imado Shrine, home of Maneki-neko cat. Since this is Maneki-neko at their birthplace, they will definitely make you happy. In addition, there are many Ema cards (writing wishes) on the temple grounds. Ema is also in Maneki-neko. Not only will you take it as a souvenir, you can also write wishes on the Ema card and tie it up so that the prayer can be fulfilled.
