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Maneki Neko: The Beckoning Cat

by on Mar.01, 2011, under Japan

The Maneki Neko, often called the fortune cat by Westerners, is actually a favorite symbolic sculpture spotted all through Japan. Designed to symbolize the Japanese Bobtail cat, this figure is often made out of clay and can be found at the entrance to enterprises and places throughout the region. These kinds of cat collectibles are unquestionably recognized as an important symbol of great fortune as well as abundance.

The word Maneki Neko, that actually translates as beckoning cat with regard to Japan, was given for this peculiar feline due to the numerous legends which were around throughout the later part of the 1800′s. As the tales understand this cat had motioned a number of Japanese folks from harm’s way. One legendary tale is about a feline which helped her very poor owner by means of saving a wealthy man’s life. The well-off man had been waiting next to a tree while it was raining until the cat neared him to beckoned him to leave. A few minutes afterwards the tree was hit with lightning from the sky and the rich man discovered the pet cat had protected his life. To be able to repay his debt with the kitten, the man decided to seek out its owner and ran into the poor owner. He subsequently supplied the owner with riches and introduced wealthy visitors to gather at the temple. Once the feline died it is proclaimed that the pet owner had developed a tombstone above the burial plot that displays the cat beckoning by using his or her paw.

The modern cat figurine rests upon its hind thighs and leg and it is commonly carrying a golden metal coin known as the ‘koban’ on a single hand. The opposite hand is always elevated upward above the eyes while having its foot aiming outward that can symbolize an inviting motion. To North Americans this pose can essentially be identified as that which we perform if we try to indicate somebody’s stature when utilizing our hands. Normally our fingertips are fully extended outward, kept above our head, with the hand stretching out parallel with the ground.

This kind of nonverbal communication across Asia suggests to come this way which is different from the west. In the American culture we implement an exposed palm and gesture in an upward action, conversely in Asian countries their hands and fingers are facedown where they move their fingertips and wrist moving inward. In Parts of Asia employing an opened hand to motion in this way is only meant for family pets, though more recently this is certainly turning out to be less applicable.

The beckoning cat can be created using a range of materials which will establish the worth belonging to the particular sculpture. Good examples of different materials used are porcelain, plastic, silver, platinum and also jade. On top of that, the cat is not always in the statue kind, it is also acquired in various other styles for instance pencil cases, piggy banks, key ring attachments, stickers, stuffed animals and much more. These souvenirs are becoming far more commercially produced over time.

John Olander is currently a writer who discusses many topics on Asia. More information and products related to the Maneki Neko cat can be found by clicking Neko Cats.


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How To Get A Better Color Belt

by on Mar.01, 2011, under Japan

Jiu jitsu is considered a grappling art. It consists of punches and kicks along with throws and joint locks. The art originated in Japan and rose out of the Judo martial system. In Japan, it split into several schools. Years later, centuries in fact, a great Brazilian fighter was trained in the Japanese art and started his own form of jiu jitsu, considered Brazilian jiu jitsu, so there are two distinct branches. The jiu jitsu belts ranking system is similar in both though.

Beginning students wear a white colored sash for the first several months that they practice. This pure color is a metaphor for newness and emptiness. The mind of a beginner should be wiped away like a clean slate. The color serves as a reminder to be willing to learn and to leave all thoughts at the door of the training space.

The second kyu, or junior, rank is most often yellow. Yellow is drawn from the bright rays of the sun since the student is taking his first steps toward growth and excellence. This color is considered the most important of all the kyu steps because it is the first step. Many students never get to this point. This is the first test given to any student, and the first time he truly becomes a member of the dojo family.

Next is the green belt. Green symbolizes the earth, and plants. Growing like a sapling, the green level student is becoming stronger quickly and growing with his skills and abilities. The green rank, or 4th kyu, is generally considered the beginning of the intermediate stage.

Red is next. All who see this crimson hue think one thought, and that thought is caution. The pace at which this level of student grows is rapid, and his abilities outweigh his control at this stage. It is even more dangerous because he may not be aware of it. Serious injury can often occur at this level, so the red is a regular reminder to practice safety first above all else.

Finally, the student arrives at the fateful day when he is awarded his black belt, or shodan. His first dan rank is a true accomplishment of mastery of a number of techniques and their application in many settings. The emphasis at this level is on mastery of the technique and also in being able to apply those locks and throws on the street against anyone, whether or not they cooperative. There is a big difference between the training hall setting and the outside world with untrained attackers.

The last level of jiu jitsu belts and mastery in the art is also black, but this is known as a teaching black rank. One stripe that is white is a fighting level, but a red strip identifies the shodan as a higher level dan who may promote students to black belt.

Want to find out more about jiu jitsu belts, then visit Victor Joseph’s site about brazilian jiu jitsu belts


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