Maneki-Neko 

The Maneki-Neko, or "beckoning cat" can be found in the window or near the till of stores or restaurants and even homes in Japan and now China. It is said to bring customers or good fortune. Originating in the 17th century Edo period in Japan, there are several legends. The most common tells of a temple priest who, hardly having enough food for himself, took in a stray white cat who he called Tama. When food became more scarce the priest told the cat he might be better off fending for himself. Of course the cat didn't go far. A Japanese Samauri, Lord Ii Naotaka of Hikone,  took shelter in a storm under a tree near the shrine. It is said he saw the cat preening itself and thought it was inviting him into the temple, so he went there for shelter. The tree he had been under was struck by lightening.  He attributed his luck at avoiding being struck to the beckoning cat, and Lord Ii became the patron of the shrine and it prospered. When Tama died he was given a place of honor in the temple cemetery and the beckoning cat statue was created in Tama's memory.

The Maneki-Neko is usually a calico cat, as these are considered the most lucky. In the Edo period cats were valuable and only afforded by the rich, and so wore a bell so the owner could keep track of the cat. The bib is also traditional from that period often to heal or bring luck to a child. The characters on the medallion are variously interpreted as representing large sums of money. Maneki-Neko can be found with either the right or left paw raised. The common belief is that the right paw raised brings wealth or good fortune while the left paw raised brings customers or visitors. Sometimes both paws are raised for protection or extra luck.