Tap Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I understand that the cats represent luck/protection, but why the animated ones? Why versions of childlike images? I have seen this in numerous nice restaurants as well as take-out style/limited seating restaurants. Why not nice porcelain ones? Is there some significance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I think part of it is cultural. When living in the Pacific, Hello Kitty was huge. Loved Hello Kitty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 The cats are called Maneko. The cat is welcoming you - thus the paw waving you in. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maneki_Neko And yes, Hello Kitty is big in Asia! And cute things are not reserved for children. (I've seen adults with cute Hello Kitty purses). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I have a keychain with one of these cats: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maneki_Neko I bought it because it was cute, but if he brings me good luck, that's fine, too! ETA: Jean and I pulled up the same article. Can you tell I have multiple windows open? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 :lol: LOL! My husband is from Korea. I have to tell you (Boy, is this going to sound non-politically-correct)...a lot of Korean people love anime-type stuff. My husband is 36 and still tries to follow the story line to these cartoons. He knows the story lines to cartoons that I have never even heard of...:glare: If you go to Korean grocery stores, there's a lot of animation/Hello Kitty, etc... It's hilarious. I would ask my husband why people like that kind of animation so much, but he's at work - lol. :D He'd probably say it was one of those unexplained phenomenon. :tongue_smilie: I'll have to tease him later tonight when he watches Naruto. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Hello Kitty is Japanese. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 And yes, Hello Kitty is big in Asia! And cute things are not reserved for children. (I've seen adults with cute Hello Kitty purses). this is a HUGE understatement. All things animation are are big here, Hello Kitty even more so, but Mickey, Snoopy. . . each is way more popular here than in the states and by a much older age group too. You haven't seen anything until you've seen the Japanese at Disneyland too. (and I call myself a Disney fanatic.:001_huh:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 It's a culture thing. There's even a word for it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuteness_in_Japanese_culture. Obviously it's not limited to Japan :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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