What is the story behind the Japanese cat?

The story behind the Japanese cat traces back to ancient folklore. In the tale, a cat saves the life of a samurai who turns out to be quite wealthy. To show his thanks, the man made a very generous donation to the temple. In Japanese culture, cat sculptures and figurines are symbols of good luck and known as “maneki-neko.” Find a range of Japanese decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Japanese Cat Figurine

Wooden Cat Sculpture

Hand Carved Wooden Figurines

Antique Japanese Signed Imari Porcelain Figurine "Cat Riding a Turtle", Ca. 1890

$2,500

H 7 in W 11 in D 15 in

Antique Japanese Signed Imari Porcelain Figurine "Cat Riding a Turtle", Ca. 1890

Located in New York, NY

Antique Japanese Signed Imari Porcelain Figurine of a Cat Riding a Turtle, Ca. 1890 DIMENSIONS Length: 15 inches Width: 11 inches Height: 7 inches ABOUT A whimsical and rare exampl...

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Vintage Ceramic Funny Fat Cat Figurine – Mottled Green & Brown Glaze

$289Sale Price|20% Off

H 6.3 in Dm 6.3 in

Mid-Century Vintage Ceramic Funny Fat Cat Figurine – Mottled Green & Brown Glaze

By Frankoma Pottery

Located in Bochum, NRW

A striking mid-century ceramic funny fat cat figurine that would add touch of rustic elegance to your collection. This serene feline features: - A seated pose with front paws grounde...

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Recent Sales

Old Japanese small wooden cat / 1920-1980 / Cat figurine/Showa era

Sold

H 6.74 in W 3.27 in D 3.23 in

Old Japanese small wooden cat / 1920-1980 / Cat figurine/Showa era

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

And cats in particular are said to bring good fortune, so this cat figurine is also thought to have been carved to display in the entranceway or somewhere similar.

Category

20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cypress

Japanese Antique Wood Carving Cat 1860s-1920s /Figurine Animal Sculpture Object

Sold

H 10.04 in W 5.52 in D 4.73 in

Japanese Antique Wood Carving Cat 1860s-1920s /Figurine Animal Sculpture Object

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

Old Japanese wood carving cat. It seems to be from the Meiji era to the Taisho era. (1860s-1920s) I feel the deep love of the creator. Over time, it has a great taste. I firs...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Meiji Period Maneki Neko Cat Figurine

Sold

H 12 in Dm 5 in

Meiji Period Maneki Neko Cat Figurine

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Antique Japanese porcelain maneki-neko, or "beckoning cat", a popular image for welcoming good fortune into the home. They often come in colors such as white, black, or gold. This po...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese old wooden carved cat and small gourd figurine/1938

Sold

H 3.35 in W 7.68 in D 1.82 in

Japanese old wooden carved cat and small gourd figurine/1938

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a wooden cat figurine made by a man named "machida-sadao" in 1938.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Old Cat Figurine Made of Japanese Pottery / Calligraphy Equipment / Edo-Meiji

Sold

H 2.52 in W 2.88 in D 2.17 in

Old Cat Figurine Made of Japanese Pottery / Calligraphy Equipment / Edo-Meiji

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

Bizen is a kiln located in Okayama prefecture, Japan. It is one of the oldest ceramics in Japan.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pottery

Japanese Antique Wood Carving Cat 1860s-1900s / Figurine Sculpture Wabi Sabi

Sold

H 6.7 in W 10.24 in D 4.73 in

Japanese Antique Wood Carving Cat 1860s-1900s / Figurine Sculpture Wabi Sabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is an old Japanese wooden carved cat. It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The material is cedar. Brass hardware is embedded in the eyes. This cat is "God of Silkwor...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Antique Japanese Nemuri Neko Kutani Porcelain Imari Cat Kitten Figurines 12"

Sold

H 5.5 in W 8.5 in D 12 in

Antique Japanese Nemuri Neko Kutani Porcelain Imari Cat Kitten Figurines 12"

By Imari Porcelain

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique porcelain Imari sleeping cat and kitten figurines featuring gold accents and red bandana with bells. Dimensions: Cat - 12” x 8.5” x 5.5” / Kitten - 7” x 5” x 3.25” (Width x ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Old Wood Carving Cat 1860s-1920s / Antique Figurine Animal Sculpture

Sold

H 9.85 in W 5.32 in D 4.34 in

Japanese Old Wood Carving Cat 1860s-1920s / Antique Figurine Animal Sculpture

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

Old Japanese wood carving cat. It seems to be from the Meiji era to the Taisho era. The material is cedar. This cat is called "the silk moth god". At that time, in areas where ...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Cedar

Takahashi Porcelain Playing Cat Figurine Hand-decorated with Butterflies

Sold

H 3.5 in W 6.25 in D 3.25 in

Takahashi Porcelain Playing Cat Figurine Hand-decorated with Butterflies

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Rare porcelain figurine of a playing cat is hand decorated with butterflies and leaves designs and gold accents. It is unusual to find a playing cat figurine; most Takahashi cats are...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Old Japanese black maneki-neko object / 20th century / lucky ornament

Sold

H 10.4 in W 5.99 in D 7.01 in

Old Japanese black maneki-neko object / 20th century / lucky ornament

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

Here is a Japanese "Maneki Neko" (beckoning cat) figurine from the Showa era.

Category

20th Century Japanese Showa Antiquities

Materials

Plaster, Clay

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Japanese Cat Figurine", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Japanese Cat Figurine For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic Japanese cat figurine available at 1stDibs. Each Japanese cat figurine for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using ceramic and pottery. Your living room may not be complete without a Japanese cat figurine — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century.

How Much is a Japanese Cat Figurine?

Prices for a Japanese cat figurine can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $500 and can go as high as $100,194, while the average can fetch as much as $16,590.