Most people don’t realize that instead of waving, the maneki-neko is BECKONING, saying come in here, Mr. Consumer, and spend your money.
When beckoning western people turn their palms skyward, tickling the sky.
In Japan the beckoning palm is somewhat downward and the wiggling fingers do something as if you were collecting cards or chips on a gambling table.
I do, but I have a long history with the maneki-neko. I’ve been collecting them for 20 years.
CC