The Japanese have a tale about a tortoiseshell and white cat, the Maneki Neko, which is symbolized by a cat with one paw raised. It is to this day a potent symbol of good luck. Legend says that such a cat brought great fortune to the poor temple of Gotoko-ji, in Tokyo. When a party of samurai saw a cat beckoning to them with its paw on the temple steps, they entered the temple & spent the night, avoiding a fierce storm. The warriors were very grateful to the cat and its master, and their master became patron of the temple. Thus the temple prospered.
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| Pattern for needlepoint embroidery on the lucky gold coin:Japanese kanji for happiness. |
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| Pattern for needlepoint embroidery on the lucky gold coin:Japanese kanji for happiness. |
