It can be seen frequently in stores, restaurants and other businesses. It is usually a cat that raises its left paw inviting people to enter the business and is carrying an old Japanese coin, called koban å° åˤ; It has, in general, a necklace with a rattle that is believed to drive away evil spirits, often made of porcelain or ceramics, and also live in plastic. In the original porcelain versions, the leg used to be always raised, although in the new plastic versions the leg usually moves from top to bottom. Also the height at which the leg is raised can vary from one sculpture to another. It is said that, the higher this is, the cat`s call will attract customers from a greater distance.
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