Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 10:00 AM #1

Gary Smyth
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Monday, Back to the grind.

Gary Smyth

Here are but two icons/representations/symbols serving as a three dimensional visual indicator. There are others representing the same thing using other images.

What are they meant to represent? Which country uses this image as its symbol ? It is NOT "cat power".

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 12:47 PM #2

Alex Y
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SWAG

Alex Y

Based on the abacus one of the cats is holding, I'll guess China. But what the cats represent is a mystery, even if that guess is right.

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 1:04 PM #3

Dan Donaldson
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Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

Dan Donaldson

I might be able to figure it out if I could translate this:

but that would probably be just dumb luck as I would just be guessing.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 1:05 PM #4

John Veerkamp, Western Mo
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USWAG

John Veerkamp, Western Mo

The Cat is traditionally revered in the land on the valley of the dead. Tombs in the pyramids often carry icons. However I think these represent the Land Of Garfield. Note the evil grin.

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 1:56 PM #5

Thomas Skaggs
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Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

I have no idea but I'll guess they are to remind kids to wask behind their ears?

T.

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 3:30 PM #6

Gary Camp, Bend Oregon
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It's really Friday (for me that is)

Gary Camp, Bend Oregon

My favorite Sushi place has one at the door. I have the good luck to be welcomed ther often.

glc

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 3:42 PM #7

Ken Oakley-Sunny St. Cloud, Fla
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Re: SWAG

Ken Oakley-Sunny St. Cloud, Fla

The cats represent what's for dinner

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 4:54 PM #8

Frederick Nelson
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Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

Frederick Nelson

Try as I might, I can't get my cat to pose in this position. Although, she will take a swat at me if I stop petting her while she's sitting on my lap; kind of a reminder to get on with more important business

Meneke Neko is its name, its home is the Land of the Rising Sun, and its business is hospitality and wishes of good luck.

Fred

Caring for a diabetic kitty in Eastern Missouri

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 5:31 PM #9

Gary Smyth
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Monday answer

Gary Smyth

Didn't last long today. Gary got there first, Frederick not far behind. I'm going to have to move to Oregon as Gary always seems to identify a link related to my questions.

The opening pictures are of carved wood Japanese welcoming cats.

As mentioned by Frederick the endearing form of a Japanese welcoming or beckoning cat ("maneki (meneke) neko") is ideally hand carved. They often sport a carved collar and bell around its neck (did Dan read the writing on the cat collar for his answer? The characters he showed did not match up with my understanding of a Japanese translated "welcome" though), the cat is seated with its right paw raised to beckon customers and fortune into shops. Sometimes boards are placed in front with an auspicious saying like "Good Luck" or "Happiness" carved in or placed on them.

Also known as �neko-men jizo� or �jizo with a cat face,� the welcoming cat has a long history which can be traced to an early legend involving a Tokyo area temple called Jisho-in. According to documents held at the temple, sometime during the mid-16th century there was an intense fight between two individuals: Toshima and Ota. While fighting, Ota became disoriented and stumbled upon a black cat which led him to the temple where he could recuperate. Upon regaining his strength, Ota was able to defeat Toshima. In gratitude for the little black cat which saved his life, Ota ordered that a stone jizo (a Buddhist saint) be fashioned in the shape of a cat.

Since then cats with a raised paw have been made of every material including ceramic, metal, stone, molded paper, ivory, as well as wood. Originally the term maneki neko referred to a cat�s supposed ability to charm and bewitch passersby. This connotation gave way to an auspicious interpretation, and today the maneki neko symbolizes a merchant�s success in attracting customers as well as a householder�s financial good fortune. Such cats sit upright, with one paw lifted in a welcoming gesture. Some pictures have the left paw raised --but the picture negative might have been reversed or the maker of the cat may not know the tradition) to �beckon in� customers or good fortune. These representational creatures exhibit a raw individuality that makes them completely unpredictable. Whatever sells best is how they appear.

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 7:02 PM #10

Dan Donaldson
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Re: Monday answer *LINK*

Dan Donaldson

The characters did not come from your pic . I got them at the link.

good luck cats

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 8:46 PM #11

Thomas Skaggs
Guest

Re: Monday answer

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

I cannot relate....I have a welcoming dog at home. ;-)

T.

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/19/10, 10:15 PM #12

Gary Smyth
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Re: Final answer

Gary Smyth

Timing dictates the winner of the large gold star. Dan gets this weeks. A small gold star to Gary, and a silver to Frederick. I was looking for the word "welcome" and while that is accurate, so is "good luck". Dan gets the nod.

Re: Monday, Back to the grind.

4/20/10, 4:12 AM #13

Dan Donaldson
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Actually...

Dan Donaldson

Someone else should get the saw. From the responses, I think that they know a lot more about this thing than I do

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Monday, Back to the grind.

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